Two Emmaus High School students are among those who recently received National Merit® $2,500 scholarships.

Arthur T. Schmidt III, of Emmaus and Fionnuir M. Ni Chochlain, of Macungie, were announced as scholarship recipients in a media release from the National Merit® Scholarship Corporation.

The 2,500 Merit Scholar designees were chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 finalists in the 2020 National Merit® Scholarship Program. National Merit® $2,500 Scholarship recipients 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.

These scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraised information submitted by the finalists and their high schools on their behalf including the academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test®); contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the finalist and a recommendation written by a high school official.

Scholarship recipients may use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university.

Schmidt plans to pursue a career in computer science and Ni Chochlain plans to pursue a career in public health, according to the media release.