6/20/2023 -- Six recent Parkway graduates were awarded College-Sponsored Merit Scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Program.

College-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners are a part of the distinguished group of about 3,800 high school seniors who will receive National Merit Scholarships for college undergraduate study worth over $28 million. These awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship.

This year, 153 higher education institutions are underwriting Merit Scholarship awards. Sponsor colleges and universities include 81 private and 72 public institutions located in 42 states and the District of Columbia.

The students are:

Central High
Sonali Paranjothi
Probable career field: Psychology
The University of Kansas

South High
Karyss Vedder
Probable career field: Mechanical Engineering (Robotics)
University of Texas at Dallas

West High
Owen Arneson
Probable career field: Education
University of Missouri – Columbia

Bennett Christofferson
Probable career field: Mathematics
University of Southern California

Allison Byergo
Probable career field: Finance
University of Missouri – Columbia

Ethan Deluca
Probable career field: Computer Science
University of Alabama

The scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors. The selection of winners is based on academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from two standardized tests; contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay; and a recommendation from a high school official.

Additional winners of the college-sponsored Merit Scholarships will be announced in July.