$2500 National Merit Scholarships Awarded To McLean Students

MCLEAN, VA — In the second round of scholarship winners in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program announced Wednesday, 15 students from McLean were among the winners.
There are 2,500 winners of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation's $2,500 scholarships from its own funds and organizations sponsoring awards through the corporation. A committee of college admissions officers and school counselors chose the winners based on their application information.
Winners are named in each state in proportion to the state's share of U.S. graduating seniors. According to the corporation, these winners "are the Finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies." Students may use the one-time scholarships at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university.
Virginia had 63 scholarship winners, 15 of whom reside or go to school in McLean:

• Vincenzo Theobald, whose probable career field is healthcare, is a student at BASIC Independent in McLean. Theobald lives in Arlington.
• Ian C. Park, whose probable career field is electrical engineering, is a student at BASIC Independent in McLean. Park lives in Ashburn.
• Amy S. Key, whose probable career field is computer science, is a student at Langley High School in McLean. Key lives in Great Falls.
• Vishwa R. Rakasi, whose probable career field is international relations, is a student at Langley High School in McLean. Rakasi lives in Great Falls.
• John H. Wu, whose probable career field is computer science, is a student at Langley High School in McLean. Wu lives in Great Falls.
• Kathryn Choi, whose probable career field is science/research, is a student at the Potomac School in McLean. Choi lives in McLean.
• Eve Hawkins, whose probable career field is engineering, is a student at The Madeira School in McLean. Hawkins lives in McLean.
• Sophia M. Huang, whose probable career field is computer science, is a student at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria. Huang lives in McLean.
• Rachel E. Noh, whose probable career field is medicine, is a student at McLean High School.
• Erim Can Ozcan, whose probable career field is aerospace engineering, is a student at the Potomac School in McLean. Ozcan lives in McLean.
• Phoebe M. Pan, whose probable career field is biomedical engineering, is a student at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria. Pan lives in McLean.
• Anniyah Rizvi, whose probable career field is bioinfomatics, is a student at Langley High School in McLean. Rizvi lives in Vienna.
• Patrick B. Shi, whose probable career field is bioinfomatics, is a student at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria. Shi lives in McLean.
• William Strong, whose probable career field is law, is a student at St. Albans School in Washington, D.C. Strong lives in McLean.
• Angeline Zhao, whose probable career field is science/research, is a student at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. She is from McLean.

These winners joined around 770 corporate-sponsored scholarship recipients named in April. These scholarships were sponsored by corporations, company foundations and other business organizations and typically go to National Merit Scholarship finalists who are employees' children or students pursuing college studies or careers that the sponsor wants to support.
On June 5 and July 15, more scholarship recipients will be announced. Around 3,600 students will receive these college-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners.
Also See: 2025 National Merit Scholarships Awarded To Student From Vienna

In all, over 6,870 high school students will be awarded approximately $26 million in National Merit Scholarships this year.
Students were entered into the National Merit Scholarship competition as juniors taking the PSAT in 2022. In October 2022, around 16,000 semifinalists were named based on each state's proportion of graduating seniors. Semifinalists were the top scoring entrants in their states and represent less than 1 percent of seniors in the U.S.
To be considered for finalist status, semifinalists had to submit a detailed scholarship application with an essay and details on extracurricular activities, awards, and leadership positions as well as demonstrate an outstanding academic record and have an endorsement from a high school official. Around 15,000 finalists met requirements for finalist status and were eligible to be chosen for corporate-sponsored, National Merit Scholarship-sponsored and college-sponsored awards.