National Achievement Scholarship Program

1560 Sherman Avenue, Suite 200, Evanston, Illinois 60201-4897 (847) 866-5100

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

April 8, 2015 Announcement
Contact:

Eileen Artemakis or Matthew Budreau

Public Information
National Merit Scholarship Corporation

Phone:
E-mail:
Website:

(847) 866-5100
mediainfo@nmerit.net
www.nationalmerit.org

Advance: For release on Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Note to editors: National Achievement Scholarship winners in your state
are listed alphabetically by city following this press release. News media are
encouraged to contact high school principals for additional information about
these outstanding students.
This material is prepared solely for news media to announce the names of
Achievement Scholar designees; its use for any other purpose is prohibited.

National Achievement Scholarship Winners

(Evanston, Illinois) Today, National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the
names of approximately 800 outstanding Black American high school seniors who have won
Achievement Scholarship awards through the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
These awards, totaling over $2 million, are financed by grants from 30 corporate organizations
and professional associations, and by National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
The National Achievement Scholarship Program is a privately financed academic
competition established in 1964 specifically to honor scholastically talented Black American
youth and to provide scholarships to a substantial number of the most outstanding participants in
each annual competition. By the conclusion of the 2015 program, which marks the 51st annual
competition, over 34,200 participants will have received scholarships for undergraduate study
worth about $108 million. The program is conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation,
a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance.
The Achievement Scholar designees announced today include 700 recipients of National
Achievement $2500 Scholarships. All students who advanced to the Finalist level in the
2015 competition were considered for these single-payment scholarships, which were awarded
on a regional representation basis in proportion to the population of Black Americans in each
geographic region.
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National Achievement Scholarship Winners

About 100 Scholars are winners of corporate-sponsored Achievement Scholarship

awards. These winners were selected from Finalists who met the specific criteria of their grantor
organizations. Most are residents of an area served by the sponsor, children of the organizations
employees, or Finalists planning to pursue a college major or career the sponsor wishes to
encourage. Almost all corporate-sponsored scholarships are renewable and provide stipends that
can vary from $500 to $10,000 per year, but a few provide a single payment between $2,500
and $5,000.
2015 National Achievement Scholarship Competition
About 150,000 students entered the 2015 National Achievement Scholarship Program by
requesting consideration in the competition when they took the 2013 Preliminary SAT/National
Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) as high school juniors. In September 2014,
approximately 1,600 of the highest scorers were named Semifinalists on a regional representation
basis. To continue in the competition, Semifinalists had to fulfill requirements for Finalist
standing, which included having a record of consistently high academic performance; being
endorsed and recommended by an official from their high school; earning SAT scores that
confirmed their PSAT/NMSQT performance; and writing an essay.
From the Semifinalist pool, some 1,300 advanced to the Finalist level, and the 800
National Achievement Scholarship winners were selected from this group of outstanding students.
Achievement Scholar awardees are the Finalist candidates judged to have the strongest record of
accomplishments and greatest potential for academic success in college.
Transition of the Program
The National Achievement Scholarship Program will undergo a transition after the
conclusion of the 2015 program. NMSC is forging a new relationship with UNCF, the nations
largest and most effective minority education organization. UNCF will carry on the name and
legacy of the National Achievement Scholarship Program through a newly designed program
for college graduates. The new program, which will be administered by UNCF and underwritten
by the National Achievement Scholarship Program, will honor and award financial assistance to
high-achieving, underrepresented college graduates.
#

National Achievement, Achievement Scholarship, Achievement Scholar, and the corporate logo
are federally registered service
marks of National Merit Scholarship Corporation. PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of National Merit Scholarship Corporation and
the College Board. SAT is a registered trademark of the College Board.

VIRGINIA
Maxine Morgan

-3ALEXANDRIA 22315

2015 Achievement Scholarship winners

THOMAS A. EDISON H. S., ALEXANDRIA

Probable career field: International Relations

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Shalom A. Yiblet

ALEXANDRIA 22310

THOMAS A. EDISON H. S., ALEXANDRIA

Probable career field: Computer Science

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Robert P. Cuyjet

ANNANDALE 22003

W. T. WOODSON H. S., FAIRFAX

Probable career field: International Business

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
James W. Beane III

ARLINGTON 22204

BISHOP IRETON H. S., ALEXANDRIA

Probable career field: Computer Programming

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Rim M. Haile

ARLINGTON 22204

WASHINGTON- LEE H. S., ARLINGTON

Probable career field: Biomedicine

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP UNDERWRITTEN BY
THE XEROX FOUNDATION

Through the Foundation, Xerox Corporation funds this award as part of its contributions program for higher education, which has as
one of its significant interests the support of equal education opportunities.
Adriana M. Mitchell

ARLINGTON 22205

WASHINGTON- LEE H. S., ARLINGTON

Probable career field: Aerospace Engineering

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Brandi E. Moore

ARLINGTON 22204

WASHINGTON- LEE H. S., ARLINGTON

Probable career field: Pathology

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Elijah R. Taylor

ARLINGTON 22205

YORKTOWN H. S., ARLINGTON

Probable career field: Undecided

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Leul G. Berhane-Meskel

BURKE 22015

Probable career field: Computer Science

LAKE BRADDOCK SECONDARY SCHOOL,

BURKE

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Kinaya M. Hassane

BURKE 22015

Probable career field: International Human Rights

LAKE BRADDOCK SECONDARY SCHOOL,

BURKE

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Joli Millner

CHARLOTTESVILLE 22901

ALBEMARLE H. S., CHARLOTTESVILLE

Probable career field: Pediatrics

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Ariana N. Benson

CHESAPEAKE 23322

GREAT BRIDGE H. S., CHESAPEAKE

Probable career field: Medicine

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Timothy S. Hayes, Jr.

CHESTERFIELD 23832

BANNER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, RICHMOND

Probable career field: Mechanical Engineering

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Natascha A. Whyte

FALLS CHURCH 22043

Probable career field: Accounting

GEORGE C. MARSHALL H. S.,

FALLS CHURCH

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Brianna J. Gilmore

GAINESVILLE 20155

BATTLEFIELD H. S., HAYMARKET

Probable career field: Medicine

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.

Virginia (continued)
Francesca L. Peavie

-4GAINESVILLE 20155

2015 Achievement Scholarship winners

PATRIOT H. S., NOKESVILLE

Probable career field: Applied Mathematics

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Azeez A. Abdikarim

HERNDON 20171

Probable career field: Mechanical Engineering (Robotics)

THOMAS JEFFERSON H. S. FOR SCIENCE

AND TECHNOLOGY, ALEXANDRIA

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Theodore E. Richardson

HERNDON 20171

Probable career field: Astrophysics

THOMAS JEFFERSON H. S. FOR SCIENCE

AND TECHNOLOGY, ALEXANDRIA

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Christopher H. Allen

LEESBURG 20176

TUSCARORA H. S., LEESBURG

Probable career field: Anthropology

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Dannika R. Thompson

LEESBURG 20175

LOUDOUN COUNTY H. S., LEESBURG

Probable career field: Engineering

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Camryn A. Bishop

LORTON 22079

Probable career field: Biomedical Engineering

HAYFIELD SECONDARY SCHOOL,

ALEXANDRIA

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP UNDERWRITTEN BY

THE XEROX FOUNDATION

Through the Foundation, Xerox Corporation funds this award as part of its contributions program for higher education, which has as
one of its significant interests the support of equal education opportunities.
Dominique W. Edwards

LORTON 22079

Probable career field: Software Engineering

HAYFIELD SECONDARY SCHOOL,

ALEXANDRIA

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Olivia Zenovia Jones

LORTON 22079

SOUTH COUNTY H. S., LORTON

Probable career field: Chemical Engineering

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Sydney A. Jordan

MANASSAS 20112

STONEWALL JACKSON H. S., MANASSAS

Probable career field: Academia

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Michael Thompson

MIDLOTHIAN 23112

Probable career field: Biomedical Engineering

MAGGIE L. WALKER GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL,

RICHMOND

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Leonard A. Ramsey

NORFOLK 23502

NORVIEW H. S., NORFOLK

Probable career field: Computer Science

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Carly Mulinda

ROANOKE 24018

FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, ROANOKE

Probable career field: Medicine

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Helen Tsegay

SOUTH RIDING 20152

FREEDOM H. S., SOUTH RIDING

Probable career field: Engineering

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Yonatan Ayele

SPRINGFIELD 22151

ANNANDALE H. S., ANNANDALE

Probable career field: Chemical Engineering

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Benjamin Quimby Jackson

VIENNA 22181

JAMES MADISON H. S., VIENNA

Probable career field: Biomedical Engineering

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.

Virginia (continued)
Jared Alexander Grooms

-5VIRGINIA BEACH 23456

2015 Achievement Scholarship winners

FLOYD E. KELLAM H. S., VIRGINIA BEACH

Probable career field: Biomedical Engineering

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Francesca M. Mercer

VIRGINIA BEACH 23452

NORFOLK ACADEMY, NORFOLK

Probable career field: Undecided

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Jacob D. Joyner

WARRENTON 20187

HOMESCHOOL

Probable career field: Law

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Amarra M. Daniels

WILLIAMSBURG 23185

JAMESTOWN H. S., WILLIAMSBURG

Probable career field: International Relations

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Jaime Abbygayle Gordon

WISE 24293

CENTRAL H. S., NORTON

Probable career field: Foreign Service

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
David A. Mollenkamp

YORKTOWN 23692

YORK H. S., YORKTOWN

Probable career field: Finance

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT $2500 SCHOLARSHIP

This award is supported by NMSC, which conducts the National Achievement Scholarship Program.