Dozens of students from Nebraska were recognized for their academic excellence on September 25, 2023, as winners of the esteemed National Merit Scholarships. Nearly 70 students from various communities across the state received these awards, which are presented annually by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. This recognition places them among approximately 7,100 recipients nationwide.
The National Merit Scholarships are awarded based on a comprehensive evaluation of students’ SAT scores, academic records, leadership abilities, involvement in school and community activities, as well as honors and awards. This year, the organization reviewed over 15,000 applications for its three scholarship categories, with a total funding pool of around $26 million.
Details on Nebraska Winners
In Nebraska, 18 students were awarded the first category scholarship, a $2,500 award. Recipients are chosen based on their achievements and potential for success in challenging college studies. The number of winners from each state corresponds with its percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors, ensuring a fair distribution of scholarships.
In addition to the $2,500 awards, Nebraska saw 46 students honored with college-sponsored scholarships. These awards, valued between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years, are provided by individual universities and are determined by officials from each institution. Furthermore, four Nebraska students received corporate-sponsored scholarships, typically available to children of employees at participating companies. Nationwide, around 830 students were selected for these corporate awards.
The following are the Nebraska recipients of the $2,500 scholarship:
– **Lincoln High Schools**
– Sarah Cai, Lincoln East High School
– Elliana Hiser, Lincoln East High School
– Nicholas Li, Lincoln East High School
– Cheryl Xiyue Zeng, Lincoln East High School
– Vittoria Quaranta, Lincoln Southwest High School
– **Other High Schools**
– Tanya Bachu, Brownell-Talbot School
– Joshua Mammen, Creighton Preparatory School
– Nivesh Reddy, Elkhorn South High School
– Natalie Mae Peterson, Gering High School
– Mackenzie Reidy, Marian High School
– Caleb Yeh, Millard North High School
– Anuj Singh, Millard North High School
– Zhongzhi Ji, Millard North High School
– Michael Tophoj, Ogallala High School
– Hugh Lowe-Weyand, Omaha Central High School
– Jonah Muench, Waverly High School
– Cora Dietrich, Westside High School
– Isabella Gerloff, Westside High School
College-Sponsored and Corporate Awards
Among the college-sponsored winners from Nebraska are:
– **Lincoln High School**
– Tyler Thimmesch, Grinnell College Scholarship
– **Lincoln East High School**
– Macy Fagler, University of Tennessee
– Jack Welstead, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
– Jack Soukup, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
– Brooks Brummond, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
– Elizabeth Mason, Drake University
– **Other Schools**
– Evan Tyler, Lincoln North Star High School, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
– Brandon Beason, Lincoln Southwest High School, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
– Connor Smith, Mount Michael Benedictine High School, University of Alabama
– Zephaniah Henderson, Gering High School, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
– Noah Miller, Fremont High School, Iowa State University
– Nolan King, Elkhorn North High School, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
– Eleanor Prekker, Papillion La Vista High School, Creighton University
– Norah Armstrong, Wayne High School, Belmont University
Corporate-sponsored awards were given to:
– **Brody Schnieders**, Pius X High School, United Services Automobile Association Scholarship
– **Brayden Bae**, Elkhorn North High School, 3M Scholarship
– **Meghna Adduri**, Millard North High School, Principal Financial Group Scholarship
The National Merit Scholarships continue to recognize outstanding students across the country, highlighting their hard work and dedication to academic achievement. With nearly 70 awardees this year, Nebraska’s students demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence in education.
