The Region : Valley Has 9 Merit Scholars

Nine San Gabriel Valley high school students were among the 1,800 youths selected nationwide for National Merit $2,000 Scholarships this year.

The awards distributed by the nonprofit National Merit Scholarship Corp. in Evanston, Ill., honor high school seniors “who show exceptional ability to pursue rigorous college work.”

Scores from standardized tests the students took in 1987 were used in the initial screening for this year’s winners. Leadership in school and community activities and personal interests and goals are also considered in the judging.

Three of the San Gabriel Valley winners, Karen J. Nishida, Joshua B. Wiseman and Reid M. Feldman, are students of Polytechnic School in Pasadena.

Other winners were Danielle S. Allen and Christine M. Keith of Claremont High School; Robert V. Ashley of Glendora High School; Albert M. Kim of San Marino High School; Genevieve L. Kipers of Glen A. Wilson High School in Hacienda Heights, and Catherine A. Andrews of Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in La Canada-Flintridge.