8 Naperville Students Named 2022 National Merit Scholars

NAPERVILLE, IL — Eight Naperville students were chosen from among 15,000 finalists nationwide to receive 2022 National Merit Scholarships.

The 2022 National Merit Scholars from Naperville are:

• Kevin Cheng, of Naperville Central High School, who received a $2500 scholarship to study physics
• Joshua Chi, of Waubonsie Valley High School, who received a $2500 scholarship to study radiology
• Aashka Dayal, of Neuqua Valley High School, who received a $2500 scholarship to study computer science
• Sophie Y. Meng, of Neuqua Valley High School, who received a $2500 scholarship to study computer science
• James M. Rosenberger, of Neuqua Valley High School, who received a $2500 scholarship to study economics
• Rajvi B. Shah, of Naperville North High School, who received a $2500 scholarship to study medicine
• William Tong, of Naperville Central High School, who received a $2500 scholarship to study law
• Isabelle Zhou of Naperville Central High School, who received a $2500 scholarship to study business

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.