Ten percent of Texas winners are from HISD
April 10, 2013 – Seven Houston Independent School District students have been named National Achievement Scholarship winners and will each receive a $2,500 scholarship for their undergraduate studies.
Each year the National Merit Scholarship Corporation awards scholarships to African-American students who have excelled in academics and have demonstrated the potential for academic success in college.
![From L to R: DeBakey High School students Rachel Adenekan, Nathalie Meremikwu, Acara Turner and Malcolm Lizzappi](http://houstonisd.org/cms/lib2/TX01001591/Centricity/Domain/4/891626_457521777651423_1694520547_o.jpg)
From L to R: DeBakey High School students Rachel Adenekan, Nathalie Meremikwu, Acara Turner and Malcolm Lizzappi
This year approximately 800 students were awarded scholarships totaling over $2 million dollars. Nearly 70 of those students are from Texas including seven seniors from three HISD schools.
- Rachel A. Adenekan – DeBakey High School for Health Professions
- Bianca R. Draud – Westside High School
- Salem B. Hadgu – Bellaire High School
- Malcolm C. Lizzappi – DeBakey High School for Health Professions
- Nathalie C. Meremikwu – DeBakey High School for Health Professions
- Lonnie A. Smith – Bellaire High School
- Acara E. Turner – DeBakey High School for Health Professions
![Westside student Bianca Druad](http://houstonisd.org/cms/lib2/TX01001591/Centricity/Domain/4/902552_457528524317415_1323689855_o.jpg)
Westside student Bianca Druad
Nationally, more than 160,000 students applied for the 2013 National Achievement Scholarships, which were awarded based on several criteria, including a consistent record of academic excellence. To be considered for this scholarship, the candidates had to be recommended by a high school official, earn SAT scores that confirmed their Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test scores, and write an essay.
![Bellaire students Lonnie Smith and Salem Hagdu](http://houstonisd.org/cms/lib2/TX01001591/Centricity/Domain/4/achievement-440.jpg)
Bellaire students Lonnie Smith and Salem Hagdu