National Merit college scholarship winners named

Three students from Eden Prairie have been awarded college scholarships through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), after a rigorous selection process requiring a qualifying test score on the PSAT and an application that included essays and recommendation letters. 

William Beuning and Simon Grabiel, who attend Eden Prairie High School, and Jack Petrin, who attends Minnetonka High School, were awarded the honors. They were among more than 2,900 students across the country to win National Merit Scholarships financed by U.S. colleges and universities.

• Beuning, who indicated that his probable career field is mathematics, won the National Merit University of North Dakota Scholarship. 
• Grabiel, who indicated his probable career field as chemistry, was awarded the National Merit University of Minnesota Scholarship.
• Petrin, who indicated his probable career field as law, was awarded the National Merit University of Southern California Scholarship.

An additional group of Scholars will be announced in July, bringing the total number of college-sponsored Merit Scholarship recipients in the 2025 competition to more than 3,600. This year, 146 higher education institutions are underwriting Merit Scholarship awards through the National Merit Scholarship Program. Sponsor colleges and universities include 74 private and 72 public institutions located in 42 states and the District of Columbia.

About NMSC

NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 to conduct the National Merit Scholarship Program. The majority of National Merit Scholarships provided each year are made possible by the support of approximately 280 independent corporate and college sponsors. These sponsors join NMSC in its efforts to enhance educational opportunities for America’s scholastically talented youth and to encourage the pursuit of academic excellence.

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