Students From IB Bartow, Winter Haven High Win National Merit Scholarships

Two more PCPS students have joined the ranks of National Merit Scholars for 2021.

Kevin Chen from International Baccalaureate at Bartow High, and Nicholas Lopez from Winter Haven High are winners of National Merit Scholarships worth $2,500.

Chen and Lopez were among 2,500 Merit Scholars announced today, chosen from a national talent pool of approximately 16,000 finalists. The winners were “judged to have the strongest combination of academic skills and achievements, extracurricular accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies,” according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Last month, IB Bartow students Tess Landreth and Vraj Patel were included in the first list of National Merit Scholars for 2021.

Additional winners will be announced in June and July. Ultimately, about 7,500 high school seniors will receive scholarships totaling nearly $30 million this year.

Kevin Chen

Nicholas Lopez