3 Downers Grove Students Named 2022 National Merit Scholars

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Three Downers Grove students were chosen from among 15,000 finalists nationwide to receive 2022 National Merit Scholarships.

The 2022 National Merit Scholars from Downers Grove are:

• Leka Jovanovic Davis, of Downers Grove South High School, who received a $2500 scholarship to study astrophysics
• Olivia C. Roti, of Downers Grove South High School, who received a $2500 scholarship to study environmental science
• Adam M. Sitabkhan, of Downers Grove North High School, who received a $2500 scholarship to study engineering

"We are proud of all 20 of our National Merit Scholars and know each one of them has a bright future ahead of them," Community High School District 99 Superintendent Dr. Hank Thiele shared in a statement.

The winning students were "judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies," according to a news release from the National Merit Scholarship Program. A committee of high school counselors and college admissions representatives evaluated each finalist's academic record, scores on the Preliminary SAT and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, essay submissions, letters of recommendation and involvement in their communities.

When the 2022 National Merit Scholarship program comes to a close, some 7,500 finalists will have been chosen as Merit Scholars, receiving a total of close to $28 million in scholarships to attend accredited colleges and universities throughout the United States.