2 Maplewood Teens Win National Merit Scholarships

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — After jumping numerous hurdles to qualify for a National Merit Scholarship to college, two of the winners from Maplewood and South Orange were announced on Wednesday. Only students winning corporate-sponsored scholarships were announced so far; more may be announced later.

The two winners announced Wednesday are:

Cole J. Strupp of Maplewood, whose probably career field is medicine. He won the National Merit Gannett Foundation Scholarship.

The Gannett Foundation is a corporate foundation sponsored by Gannett Co., Inc., a media and marketing company. The scholarships are available to finalists in the National Merit Program who are children of Gannett employees.

Jadyn Park of South Orange, whose probably career field is neuroscience. Jadyn won the National Merit Pfizer Inc. Scholarship.

Pfizer Inc. describes itself as a diversified company with plants in some 40 countries and sales in more than 100. Its approximately 90,000 employees produce and market pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, hospital products, and consumer products. These Merit Scholarship awards are provided by Pfizer Inc to the children of employees.

To become a National Merit Scholarship finalist, the semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.

A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.

Starting this month, approximately 7,500 students will be notified that they have been chosen for a Merit Scholarship. Many will receive a $2,500 scholarship for college, but some may win an award from a company or from a particular college.

Last year, among nearby districts, Millburn High School had a whopping 32 semifinalists. South Orange-Maplewood had 10 semifinalists, Livingston had eight, Summit High School had five, Chatham High School had three, Westfield High had two, Scotch Plains High had two, and Madison High had two.

Two Millburn and two Livingston students were announced Wednesday as winning corporate scholarships as well.

Most New Jersey high schools with more than 10 were magnet or private schools.

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