Two District Five students awarded National Merit $2,500 Scholarships

IRMO, SC – Two students from Lexington-Richland School District Five are among this year’s National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners. Irmo High School students Nicholas Leonhardt (right) and Maximilian Westerkam (left) are among this year’s 2,500 Merit Scholar designees.

Irmo High School Principal David Riegel said, “Both Max and Nick exemplify the scholarship and character that students at Irmo High strive for.  Besides being great students, they are great leaders and role models in our school. We look forward to seeing the many great things they accomplish after graduation and wish them the best.”

This is the second announcement of National Merit Scholarships for 2014. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation also announced winners of its National Achievement Scholarship this spring, including Irmo High School student Alexandria Waddell. Winners of the group’s college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards will be announced on May 27 and July 13.

The National Merit $2,500 Scholarship recipients are chosen by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors. The scholars were judged on a combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies. More than 7,500 students nationwide have earned the “Merit Scholar” title since the National Merit Scholar Corporation was founded in 1955.

Maximilian Westerkam (left), and Nicholas Leonhardt (right)