Kathryn Lee Ditton and Ingrid Tinnea Gustus, seniors, have been chosen from more than 600,000 high school students as National Merit scholars. Principal Herman Rider received the announcement through Mr. John Stalnaker, president of the National Merit Scholarship corporation.

The two Des Plaines girls began their competition last spring when students from more than 16,000 high schools began the testing program.

As merit scholars, the girls are eligible for scholarship stipends which could run as high as $1,500 a year, or $6,000 for four years.

Kathy plans to enter Michigan State university next fall where she will major in communications. She is an advanced placement student and during her four

years at Maine, she has been on the high honor roll. The Presidential scholarship, which will also help send her to Michigan State, is another outstanding award that she has received.

Ingrid hopes to attend Stanford university, where she will major in mathematics to prepare for a career as a math teacher. As an accelerated student she ranks first academically in the Senior class at the end of seven semesters, and she is a member of National Honor society.

In addition to the two girls, the selection committee nominated six other Maine West students as members of the select semi‑finalist group. These students are John Bade, Pat Gassner, Rick Geertz, John Howard, Mike Pedersen, and Bob Treanor, all seniors.