LHS Senior Awarded National Merit Scholarship

LEMONT, IL — A Lemont High School senior has been awarded a $2,500 scholarship from National Merit, the organization announced Wednesday. Taylor Shimkus, who plans to study chemical engineering, was one of 2,500 Merit Scholars who won the scholarship.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation chose the scholarship winners out of 15,000 finalists, a release states. National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners are the finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

According to a release, scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who looked at academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test; contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay
written by the finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.

The organization will also announce winners of corporate-sponsored merit scholarship awards in June and July.