COUNTYWIDE : 9 Local Students Win Merit Scholarships

Nine Orange County residents were among 86 Californians and some 1,300 students nationwide to win merit scholarships financed by colleges and universities.

The latest recipients were among more than 6,700 who have received $25 million in scholarships of some kind through the program this year.

About 115 private and 85 public colleges and universities in 42 states and Washington, D.C., awarded merit scholarships this year.

Winners are chosen by the sponsoring school and receive $250 to $2,000 each year to attend that school.

In Orange County, the recipients were: Anaheim residents Gabriel G. Pai of Troy High in Fullerton and Lori H. Yamato of Katella High in Anaheim; Adam S. Carr of Buena Park, a student at Sunny Hills High in Fullerton; Peter J. Howell of Fullerton High; Irvine High students James A. Black and Angela K. Kang; Anselm H. Lin of University High in Irvine; Aaron J. Mugg, a student at Mission Viejo High; and Tustin High’s John R. Harris.

In addition to the college- and university-sponsored awards, the merit scholars program included $2,000 prizes for students in each state and corporate-sponsored scholarships for students of particular interest to various companies.

About 1.1 million students in more than 19,000 high schools entered the 1994 merit scholars competition.

Winners were selected based on scores in the Pre-Scholastic Aptitude Test, transcripts, activities and recommendations.

There were 14,000 finalists.