Hats off to the 14 Maine students who are among the 2,000 academic champions in the nation selected to receive National Merit Scholarships. Named to receive the $2,000 stipend in eastern and northern Maine are Elizabeth M. Morse, Kari L. Rosenthal and Ian D. Swett, all of Bangor High School; Kirk R. Klausmeyer of Belfast Area High School; and Matthew A. Beckett of Calais High School.

They were chosen from among 14,000 outstanding high school seniors who advanced to the finalist level in the 1996 Merit Program. Those named are among more than 6,900 who are being offered Merit Scholarship awards worth more than $27 million. Winners of single-payment “national” awards are designated on a state representational basis with the number in each state based on the percentage of the U.S. total of graduating high school seniors.

The selection process included consideration of each student’s academic record (including amount and difficulty level of course work, breadth and depth of subjects studied and grades earned), scores from two tests, demonstrated leadership and significant contributions to the school and community, personal interests and goals and the high school principal’s recommendation of the student.

More award winners

Congratulations also to junior Natalie Chouinard of Mattanawcook Academy in Lincoln who was elected to serve as the 1997 Maine Youth Governor at the annual YMCA Youth in Government-Model Youth Legislature held May 3-5 at the state capital. Chouinard will attend the weeklong 35th annual National Conference of Youth Governors in Washington, D.C., next month. In addition to in-school activities, she was a member of the Mattanawcook Academy state champion engineering team which competed twice in the national competition, and attended the Close-Up Program, both in Washington, D.C. She also attended the Young Scholar National Science Foundation program at the University of Maine, Orono.

Elliott Brennan, a junior at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics in Limestone, is one of 36 students accepted to attend the Thacher School’s Summer Science Program in astrophysics sponsored by NASA and California Institute of Technology. The six-week course will begin June 20 in Ojai, Calif. Student selection is based on high school transcripts, extracurricular studies and the completion of an essay. Brennan’s essay focused on physicist Richard P. Feynman’s role in the investigation of the Challenger accident.

Senior Rebecca Alayne Pelkey of Penobscot Valley High School received a certificate of commendation for her entry in the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, New England Chapter annual scholarship essay contest. The award was established to recognize a graduating senior who has achieved his or her personal best in spite of significant asthma or allergies. One of 25 finalists from 250 applicants in New England, Pelkey wrote about asthma, the condition and its treatment, and explained the scope of her activities and accomplishments despite a chronic illness.

The Holocaust Human Rights Center of Maine announced its recognition awards for high school students at its annual meeting May 5 at the Portland Regency Hotel. Named Outstanding Student of the Year in the literary category for grades nine through 12 was Sarah L. Stewart, a sophomore at Hodgdon High School, for her story, “Forever Silenced.” Honorable mention was awarded to Ian Edward Cohen, a junior at Bangor High School, for his poem, “The Flower.”

Applicants sought

The University of Maine will offer a one-week Summer Math Institute for Girls in grades nine-12 Aug. 4-10 in Orono. The residential program includes activities to spur explorations of mathematical applications and concepts. Participants will meet with professional women and students to discuss courses and uses of mathematics in business and research. Personal and cultural enrichment activities also will be offered. In addition to classroom activities, students will take field trips and set up a World Wide Web page to share activities during the school year.

Enrollment is limited to 40 pupils. The institute is supported by a grant from the Mathematical Association of America with assistance from the UM Cooperative Extension, Department of Mathematics and Women’s Resource Center. Application forms are available by calling 800-287-1542 and must be returned by July 15.

A Spring Concert for Senior Citizens will be presented at noon Wednesday, May 22, at Nokomis Regional High School in Newport. Citizens who are more than 60 years old and reside in the towns of Corinna, Hartland, Newport, Palmyra, Plymouth, St. Albans, Etna and Dixmont are invited to attend the musical performance and a luncheon which will be served afterward. Those planning to attend should call 368-4377 by Friday, May 17.

Coming events

Bangor High School Project Graduation Committee meeting, 7 p.m. tonight, BHS library.

Spring Band and Chorus Concert, 7 p.m. tonight, Medomak Valley High School auditorium.

SAD 59 Band Concert featuring students from Athens Community School, Madison Junior High and Madison Area High schools, 7 p.m. tonight, MAHS gymnasium.

Brewer High School Academic Recognition Night, 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, in the gymnasium.

Down East Regional Envirothon, noon-4:30 p.m. Friday, May 17, at Moosehorn Wildlife Refuge in Baring. The event is sponsored by the Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Hampden Academy Project Graduation meeting, 7 p.m. Monday, May 20, in the music room.

The School News column is compiled by Darlene S. Henderson.