Madison students earn National Merit college-sponsored scholarships

MADISON – National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced 3,000-plus winners of National Merit Scholarships financed by U.S. colleges and universities on June 7.

These awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship. This year, 81 private and 72 public institutions are underwriting Merit Scholarship awards.

The following list identifies the student recipients, their high school, career aspiration and contributing college.

* Sohail Mohiddin Baig – James Clemens High School. Probable career: Neurosurgery. National Merit University of Alabama at Birmingham or UAB Scholarship. UAB is a comprehensive, urban research university and academic health center with enrollment exceeding 16,000 students. UAB is the only university in Alabama to earn top ranking (Research University I) in the Carnegie Foundation’s classifications of colleges and universities.

* Anna E. Digges – Bob Jones High School. Probable career: Ecology. National Merit Auburn University Scholarship. Auburn is a nationally ranked land-grant institution recognized for its commitment to interdisciplinary, research and life-changing outreach with Carnegie’s Community Engagement designation.

* Vincent T. Dinh – Bob Jones. Probable career: Computer Engineering. National Merit University Of Alabama In Huntsville Platinum Scholarship. UAH, a premier research university, offers a challenging hands-on curriculum to more than 10,000 students. UAH offers about 100 degree programs of study within six academic colleges.

* Sherwood Dong – James Clemens. Probable career: Computer Science. National Merit University Of Florida Scholarship. UF offers many unique opportunities to join the ‘Gator Nation,’ including excellence, discovery, innovation, community and stewardship.

* Punarvi S. Mandadapu – James Clemens. Probable career: Medicine. National Merit UAB Scholarship. Through UAB’s rich mix of academics, honors options, social organizations and Division I sports, students can pursue a wide array of opportunities and gain valuable experience.

* Zoe Mae Molloy – Home School. Probable career: Food Science. National Merit Mississippi State University Scholarship. MSU is home to a vibrant community of scholars, creators and explorers who are recognized for cross-college, multi-disciplinary collaboration. MSU is one of the nation’s leading research and land-grant universities with strengths in agriculture, engineering and science.

* Tevin Park – James Clemens. Probable career: Computer Science. National Merit Vanderbilt University Scholarship. Founded in 1873, Vandy is an independent, privately supported university in Nashville, Tenn. The university offers undergraduate programs in Liberal Arts, Music, Engineering, Education and Human Development.

* Craig H. Stephenson – Bob Jones. Probable career: Undecided. National Merit Auburn University Scholarship. Auburn offers life-changing outreach with Carnegie’s Community Engagement and an undergraduate education experience that is outstanding.

* Alexander M. Stern – Bob Jones. Probable career: Psychology. National Merit University Of Alabama Scholarship. Alabama offers more than 125 undergraduate and 135 graduate majors in 13 colleges and schools. Student activities center on 650 organizations, including fraternal groups, student government and service organizations.

* Jeremiah J. Yang – James Clemens. Probable career: Computer Engineering. National Merit Auburn University Scholarship. Auburn is a nationally ranked land-grant institution recognized for interdisciplinary research with top-tier Carnegie R1 classification.

Other students who live in Madison but do not attend Madison City Schools earned National Merit College-Sponsored Scholarships:

* Emily R. Centamore – Sparkman High School. Probable career: Physics. National Merit UA Scholarship. UA has 650-plus organizations, including fraternal groups, student government and service organizations.

* Zoe E. Johnson — Alabama School of Fine Arts, Birmingham. Probable career: Statistics. National Merit University Of South Florida Scholarship. South Florida has rich traditions of access for academic excellence, groundbreaking research and serving communities. More than 50,000 students are enrolled in three locations.

* Marianne C. Taylor – Providence Classical School. Probable career: Engineering. National Merit Auburn University Scholarship. Auburn is a nationally ranked land-grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship.

National Merit will announce additional recipients of college-sponsored awards on July 10. For more information, visit nationalmerit.org.