15 Lake County high school seniors win scholarships

Fifteen high school seniors from Lake County schools have won $2,500 National Merit Scholarships.

The winners, announced Wednesday, are the finalists in Illinois judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in college.

The winners were chosen by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors.

Judges evaluated academic records, including: the difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from two standardized tests; contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the student; and, the recommendation written by a high school official.

The number of winners in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the U.S. high school graduating seniors. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a not-for-profit corporation.

Following is the list of winners alphabetically by town in which they live and includes their high school and probable career field:

Ÿ Eilrayna Gelyana, Buffalo Grove (Stevenson); Medicine

Ÿ Jenny J. Yan, Buffalo Grove (Stevenson); Medicine

Ÿ Alexander You, Buffalo Grove, (Stevenson); Statistics/economics

Ÿ Haisi Liu, Gurnee, (Warren Township); Medicine

Ÿ Ryan C. Ruddell, Gurnee (Carmel Catholic); Mechanical engineering

Ÿ Alana S. Weinstein, Highland Park (Highland Park); Biochemistry

Ÿ Christopher J. Georgen, Kildeer (Carmel Catholic); Physics

Ÿ Connie Lu, Kildeer (Stevenson); Biology/business management

Ÿ Hilde D. Nelson, Lake Villa (Lakes Community); Law

Ÿ Soumya Shankar Ghosh, Libertyville (Libertyville); Physics

Ÿ May Yang, Libertyville (Libertyville); Medicine

Ÿ Zachary J. Blumenfeld, Lincolnshire (Stevenson); Political science

Ÿ Leanne M. Friedrich, Lincolnshire (Stevenson); Engineering

Ÿ Brian H. Kim, Long Grove (Stevenson); Political science/public policy

Ÿ Jason S. Lewitzke, Third Lake (Grayslake North); Biomedical engineering.