National Merit Scholarships were awarded to two of Maine West's students ‑ Wendy Geertz '66 and Norman T. Glitz '66. After the announcement of the semi‑finalists in September of 1965, these students had to substantiate their scores by taking still another examination. Approximately 97 per cent of the 14,000 students emerged as national finalists and thus became eligible to obtain scholarships.

However, because of the availability of funds, only 2,250 grants ‑ 142 of which were distributed throughout the state of Illinois ‑ were awarded. Although this is a relatively small number of scholarships, as compared to the actual qualifying scorers, past studies have indicated that more than half of the semi‑finalists will receive financial aid from sources other than this program. The recognition received from the Merit Program appears to have helped these students obtain aid.

Wendy's scholarship was granted to her through MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois, which she will be attending next year. There she will be majoring in special education.

Norman, who plans on making engineering his major, is going to use his scholarship at the University of Illinois.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which was established in 1955, is the largest such independently financed, nonprofit organization in the United States. The annual number of Merit Scholarships given out has nearly quadrupled over the first decade.

Each year all public, independent, and parochial secondary schools in the United States are invited to participate in the Merit Program. Out of those schools participating, about 90 per cent of all high school students in the •country have been enrolled.