Science Scholarship Finalists Named

Three Los Angeles County high school seniors were named as nationwide finalists Monday in the annual Intel Science Talent Search.

Nancy Huynh of Alhambra High, Elizabeth Williams of Palos Verdes Peninsula High and Bob Cherng of Troy High in Whittier won all-expenses-paid trips to Washington, D.C., to compete for the top prize: a $100,000, four-year scholarship.

The 40 national finalists were selected from more than 1,500 applicants.

Five past Nobel Prize winners have been finalists in the competition, which until 1998 was known as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search, said Meredith Smith of Intel.

Finalists were chosen based on creative thinking, scientific originality and research ability demonstrated in research papers of their choosing, Smith said.

“We applaud these young scientists-- our country’s future leaders, thinkers and innovators,” said Craig Barrett, Intel’s president and chief executive.

Those coming in second to 10 place will receive scholarships ranging from $75,000 to $20,000. The remaining 30 finalists will get $5,000 scholarships.