Winners of National Merit College-Sponsored Awards Named

Eight Gwinnett County graduates are the recent recipients of National Merit college-sponsored scholarships.

According to a Gwinnett County Public Schools press release, the local winners are:

Melanie R. Chandler – Brookwood High
Probable career field: Journalism
College sponsor: University of Georgia

Heather K. Huynh – Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology
Probable career field: Biochemistry
College sponsor: University of Georgia

Rebecca E. Wilson – Mountain View High
Probable career field: Mathematics
College sponsor: University of Georgia

Geoffrey M. Sangston – Norcross High
Probable career field: Entrepreneurship
College sponsor: University of Miami

Lisa Y. Liu – Parkview High
Probable career field: Industrial Engineering
College sponsor: Georgia Institute of Technology

Natalie R. Neuman – Parkview High
Probable career field: Science/Research
College sponsor: University of Georgia

Manisha Banga – Peachtree Ridge High
Probable career field: English Literature
College sponsor: University of Georgia

Alice Y. Herchek – Peachtree Ridge High
Probable career field: Biology
College sponsor: Fordham University

Each will receive between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study.

Some 1,800 students won the award nationwide, in addition to the 2,500 winners the that National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced in late May. Thirteen of those winners also were Gwinnett County graduates.

Finalists were selected by a review of the student’s grades, standardized test scores, recommendations, and community activities.