8 Rhode Island Students Win $2,500 National Merit Scholarships

The winners of the 2020 National Merit $2,500 Scholarships were announced Wednesday. Eight high school seniors from Rhode Island were selected from the pool of more than 15,000 finalists nationwide.

Judges choose the winners from the finalists based on accomplishments, skills and potential for success in their college studies. The number of winners in each state is determined by the percentage of graduating seniors who live there compared to the rest of the country. A variety of factors are considered in the selection process, including academic record, the difficulty level of classes taken and grades, scores from the PSAT or National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, leadership roles and involvement in school and community activities, an essay written by the student and a recommendation letter from a school official.

Rhode Island's winners are listed below, alphabetically by city.

Ariadne M. Dulchinos, Barrington

• Probable career field: Software Engineering
• School: Barrington High School

Emilie A. Lum, Cranston

• Probable career field: Medicine
• School: Moses Brown School, Providence

Andrew H. Babb, East Greenwich

• Probable career field: Actuarial Science
• School: East Greenwich High School

Suraj Sait, East Greenwich

• Probable career field: Management
• School: East Greenwich High School

Logan G. Cuthill, Exeter

• Probable career field: Engineering
• School: Bishop Hendricken High School

Joelye E. Land, North Kingstown

• Probable career field: Environmental Policy
• School: North Kingstown High School

Kailas B. Kahler, Pawtucket

• Probable career field: Computer Science
• School: Moses Brown School

Timothy J. Moren, Warwick

• Probable career field: Aerospace Engineering
• School: Bishop Hendricken High School