2 Minnetonka Students Win National Merit Scholarships

MINNETONKA, MN — A total of 2,500 National Merit Scholarship winners were announced Wednesday, including three Minnetonka students.

The winners will receive $2,500 scholarships and were chosen from a pool of over 15,000 applicants, National Merit said.

The winners are:

Ava D. Chen

• Hometown: Eden Prairie
• School: Minnetonka High School
• Probable career field: Consulting

Scott R. Sorensen

• Hometown: Minnetonka
• School: Minnetonka High School
• Probable career field: English Literature

Erik C. Teder

• Hometown: Bloomington
• School: Eagle Ridge Academy (Minnetonka)
• Probable career field: Business Management

Students can qualify for the award by taking the PSAT/NMSQT, which serves "as an initial screen of program entrants," the organization said in a news release.

After that, winners are selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors. Factors such as a submitted essay, academic records, leadership in their school and community, and a recommendation written by a high school official are considered by the committee.