Posted by Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti on 6/11/2024 3:32:00 PM

For Immediate Release

Contact:Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti

Hillsborough County Public Schools

Office of Communications|

813-272-4060

Tampa, Fl. (June 11, 2024) – The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced over 2,900 winners of the National Merit Scholarships financed by U.S. colleges and universities, 36 of which attend Hillsborough County Public Schools. Officials of each sponsor college selected their scholarship winners from the Finalists in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their institution.

This year, 149 higher education institutions are underwriting Merit Scholarship awards through the National Merit Scholarship Program. Sponsor colleges and universities include 77 private and 72 public institutions located in 42 states and the District of Columbia. These awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship.

The most recent National Merit Scholars were selected by a committee based on their academic records, PSAT scores, essays, and potential for success in college.

“Congratulations to our thirty-six Hillsborough County students for earning this prestigious award. They worked extremely hard and stayed focused on their goals. The entire school district applauds their efforts as they begin this next chapter in their educational journey,” said Superintendent Van Ayres.

Hillsborough County Public School’s National Merit Scholars include:

Jackson B. Simoneau, Bloomingdale High School: University of Central Florida

Brooke L. Tuttle, Strawberry Crest High School: University of Florida

Sean R. Evans, Newsome High School: Florida State University

Muyao Guan, Newsome High School: University of Florida

Michael P. Hemingway, Newsome High School: University of Florida

Savin Karki, Newsome High School: University of Florida

Caleb M. Hess, Steinbrenner High School: University of Florida

Aiden B. Smith, Strawberry Crest High School: University of South Florida

Sophia Orrego, Riverview High School: University of Florida

Sethumi T. Rajapakse, King High School: University of Florida

Anastasia Z. Achziger, King High School: University of Florida

Ananya Balla, Strawberry Crest High School: University of Florida

Julian R. Carvajal, King High School: University of Florida

Noah J. Cheong, Plant High School: University of Florida

Rohan R. Cheruku, Strawberry Crest High School: University of South Florida

Sonia N. Chillikatil, Strawberry Crest High School: University of Florida

Melanie A. Diaz, Robinson High School: University of Florida

Evan C. Farnan, Sickles High School: University of Florida

Tanvi Garg, Strawberry Crest High School: University of Florida

Kevalin T. Gupta, Strawberry Crest High School: University of South Florida

Sarthak Gupta, Strawberry Crest High School: University of Florida

Vinesh Jarajapu, Middleton High School: University of South Florida

David Jin, King High School: University of Florida

Hannah K. Lockwood, Plant High School: University of Florida

James J. Marshall, Plant High School: University of Florida

Patrick J. Mateo, King High School: University of Florida

Julia L. Misiunas, Sickles High School: University of Florida

Joel Kyler Park, Alonso High School: University of South Florida

Cooper J. Priest, Wharton High School: Michigan State University

Vignesh Saravanan, King High School: University of Florida

Neha Senthilkumar, Strawberry Crest High School: University of Florida

Alessandra M. Skarshinski-Fred, Sickles High School: University of Florida

Daniel Takshi, King High School: University of Florida

Zachary J. Tomasello, Plant High School: University of Florida

Andres Vidovich, Plant High School: University of Florida

Rushik Mangavalli, Strawberry Crest High School: University of South Florida

For more information on the 2024 National Merit Scholarship competition visit nationalmerit.org.