4 Area Students Awarded National Merit Scholarships Worth $2,500 Each

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Four area students have been named recipients of 2026 National Merit $2,500 Scholarships, recognizing their academic achievement, leadership, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

On Wednesday, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the recipients of its 2026 National Merit $2,500 Scholarships, which honors 2,500 students nationwide who demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and potential for success in college. The winners were selected from more than 15,000 finalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Local National Merit Scholars include:

• Sahasrad Vidhya Sathish of Grayslake, a Lake Forest Academy student. Sathish plans to study computer science.
• Colette M. Winandy of Gurnee, a Carmel Catholic High School student. Winandy is interested in international business.
• Liane Michelle Lin of Libertyville, a Libertyville High School student. Lin plans to pursue pediatrics.
• Eva Y. Zhang of Vernon Hills, a Vernon Hills High School student. Zhang intends to study economics.

The number of scholarship winners in each state is determined proportionally based on the state’s share of graduating high school seniors.

“These Scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors who reviewed a substantial amount of information submitted by Finalists and their schools,” the organization said in its announcement.

The $2,500 awards are single-payment scholarships funded primarily by NMSC, with additional support from corporate sponsors, foundations, and the organization’s President’s Fund. Recipients may use the funds at any regionally accredited college or university in the United States, according to a news release from the National Merit news release.

This announcement marks the second round of awards in the 2026 competition.

Earlier this spring, approximately 700 corporate-sponsored scholarships were named, with about 3,500 college-sponsored awards still to be announced in June and July. In total, roughly 6,700 students will ultimately earn National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $24 million.