Local Students Selected for National Merit Scholarship

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL - Two local students have been chosen as National Merit Scholarship recipients, according to an announcement this past week from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The merit 2,500 scholar designees from across the country were chosen from a talent pool of 15,000. They will all receive a $2,500 scholarship.

Piper J. Boudart, a Cary-Grove High School student, and Teresa L. Fisher, a Crystal Lake South High School student, are among this year's National Merit scholars, according to a news release. Boudart of Cary is planning a career in ecology while Fisher of Crystal Lake is pursuing a career in mathematics.

Finalists from each state were judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors, according to a news release.

The scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors who appraised a information submitted by both the finalists and their high schools, including their academic record; difficulty of the level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from two standardized tests; contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.

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