On Wednesday, National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) released the names of the first group of winners in the 65th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
Approximately 1,000 distinguished high school seniors have won corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship awards financed by about 160 corporations, company foundations, and other business organizations.
Scholars were selected from students who advanced to the Finalist level in the National Merit Scholarship competition and met criteria of their scholarship sponsors. Corporate sponsors provide National Merit Scholarships for Finalists who are children of their employees, who are residents of communities the company serves, or who plan to pursue college majors or careers the sponsor wishes to encourage.
Most of these awards are renewable for up to four years of college undergraduate study and provide annual stipends that range from $1,000 to $10,000 per year. Some provide a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000. Recipients can use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university of their choice.
Among the winners was Melanie Leguizamon, a senior at Greenwich High School.
Melanie was awarded the National Merit Pepsico Foundation Scholarship.
Established in 1962, The PepsiCo Foundation is the philanthropic anchor of PepsiCo, responsible for providing charitable contributions to eligible nonprofit organizations.
The Foundation is committed to developing sustainable partnerships and programs in underserved regions that provide opportunities for improved health, environment and education.