6 Vestavia Residents Earn National Merit Scholarships

VESTAVIA HILLS, AL — Six Vestavia Hills residents are among those who received National Merit Scholarships in the third round of awards announced Wednesday.

This year, 160 higher education institutions are underwriting Merit Scholarship awards
through the National Merit Scholarship Program. Sponsor colleges and universities include 85
private and 75 public institutions located in 42 states and the District of Columbia.

College-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners announced today are a part of the distinguished group of about 7,500 high school seniors who will receive National Merit Scholarships for college undergraduate study worth nearly $30 million. Earlier this spring, NMSC announced winners of corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards and National Merit $2500 Scholarships.

Vestavia Hills reisdents receiving scholarships this round include:

• Sarah K. Gray
• Cecilia L. Kong
• Esther Y. Lee
• Leighton R. Reese
• Alex Michael Stern
• Tabitha C. Watson

A total of 16,000 students were selected as finalists for the scholarships and the final winners are candidates "judged to have the strongest combination of academic skills and achievements, extracurricular accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies."