Pearland Independent School District proudly announces 15 finalists in the 2022 National
Merit Scholarship Program.
These finalists include Dawson High School’s Neeraj Anantha, Andy Gu, Charles Gundlach, Bidisha Halder, Bryan Li, Jorryn Li, Edwin Ling, Stephen Mao, Aruna Muthupillai, Michael Pasala, Helen Sanderson, Isabella Soares, Melissa Tariq Rodriguez, Enjia Wang and Raina Zhang.
These students number among approximately 15,000 finalists nationwide competing for 7,500 National Merit, corporate-sponsored and college-sponsored scholarships.
Beginning in March and continuing to mid-June approximately, finalists will be selected to
receive scholarships.
About National Merit Scholarship Program
In spring 2022, finalists will compete for approximately 7,500 National Merit Scholarships
worth a combined value of more than $30 million. Less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, the highest-scoring test-takers in each state, were chosen as semifinalists in the fall.
To become Merit Scholar finalists, students must not only have outstanding academic records throughout high school but also earn high SAT scores and demonstrate leadership in school and community activities.
Finalists will compete for the following awards:
- 2,500 National Merit Scholarships (worth $2,500 each) awarded on a state-
representational basis - 1,000 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships provided by approximately 220
corporations/businesses - 4,000 college-sponsored scholarships from 180 colleges and universities for finalists
who will attend the sponsor institution
