Niceville High’s Brake, LaFollette, awarded National Merit scholarships

Hunter Brake and Diana LaFollette are among the about 7,500 high school seniors who have received National Merit Scholarships for college undergraduate study worth over $32 million.

Two students from Niceville High School, Hunter Brake and Diana LaFollette, have been named National Merit Scholarship winners.

Brake and LaFollette are among the about 7,500 high school seniors who have received National Merit Scholarships for college undergraduate study worth over $32 million.

Brake received a National Merit University of Central Florida Scholarship valued at about $87,000. He intends to study mechanical engineering.

LaFollette received an $8,000 National Merit University of Southern California Scholarship and plans on studying chemical engineering.

This past April, NHS student Stephanie Kaufman was awarded a National Merit Scholarship. She will receive $1,000 per year for four years. Kaufman will attend the University of Florida and plans to major in biology.

The mission of National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is to recognize and honor the academically talented students of the United States. Winners are selected without consideration of family financial circumstances, college choice, or major and career plans.

Only about 50 percent of the finalists earn the distinction of being named a National Merit Scholar.