EVANSTON, Ill. — National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) on May 7 announced this year’s National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners.
The designees were chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding finalists in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program.
National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners are the finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors.
The selections were made by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraised a substantial amount of information submitted by both the finalists and their high schools: the academic record, including difficult level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from two standardized tests; contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.
California recipients include the following:
• Mina Maruyama Phengdara of Diamond Bar, a student at Diamond Ranch High School in Pomona. Probable career field: law
• Stacey S. Dojiri of Palos Verdes Estates, a student at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School in Rolling Hills Estates. Probable career field: medicine
• Brian K. Shimanuki of Pleasanton, a student at Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton. Probable career field: computer science
• Alex T. Kumamoto of San Carlos, a student at Carlmont High School in Belmont. Probable career field: engineering
For more information, visit www.nationalmerit.org.