Darien Student Awarded Corporate-Sponsored National Merit Scholarship

DARIEN, IL — More than 1,000 high school seniors have won corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship awards financed by about 200 corporations, company foundations, and other business organizations. Among those seniors is Darien resident Vanessa Alexandra Copeland.

Copeland is a student at Downers Grove South High School and received a scholarship from Estee and Joseph Lauder. Copeland has an undecided career field.

According to a release from National Merit, Estee Lauder Companies Inc. is an international leader in the cosmetic, skincare and fragrance industry recognized for fashion leadership, scientific advances in skin treatment products and the highest quality standards. Estee Lauder was founded in 1946.

Scholars were selected from students who advanced to the Finalist level in the National Merit Scholarship competition and met criteria of their scholarship sponsors. Corporate sponsors provide National Merit Scholarships for Finalists who are children of their employees, who are residents of communities the company serves, or who plan to pursue college majors or careers the sponsor wishes to encourage.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation said most of these awards are renewable for up to four years of college undergraduate study and provide annual stipends that range from $500 to $10,000 per year. Some provide a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000. Recipients can use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university of their choice.

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