National Merit Scholarship: 3 South Pasadena Students Among Winners

— Three South Pasadena students were among the 2,500 National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners announced Wednesday. They were chosen from more than 15,000 finalists in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program.

The three South Pasadena scholars are:

1. Jaehyung Choi; SOUTH PASADENA 91030; Probable career field: Physical Therapy; SOUTH PASADENA H. S., SOUTH PASADENA; NATIONAL MERIT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP; This award is supported by National Merit Scholarship Corporation's own funds.
2. Eden A. McEwen; SOUTH PASADENA 91030; Probable career field: Sustainable Energy; GEORGE SCHOOL, NEWTOWN, PA; NATIONAL MERIT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP; This award is supported by National Merit Scholarship Corporation's own funds.
3. Kendrick Shen; SOUTH PASADENA 91030; Probable career field: Surgical Medicine; SOUTH PASADENA H. S., SOUTH PASADENA;

The scholarship recipients were judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The committee includes college admissions officers and high school counselors.

More than 300 students were chosen in California. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors.

Scholars may use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university.

On April 19, 1,000 recipients of corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards were named, and on June 7 and July 17, another 4,000 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners will be announced.

— Patch staffer Bea Karnes contributed to this report. Photo via Shutterstock