RENO -- Two high school seniors from the Washoe County School District will receive college-sponsored merit scholarships through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Both students plan to attend the University of Nevada, Reno this fall.

“These students have worked hard to achieve success in their studies,” said WCSD Chief School Accountability Officer Dr. Paul LaMarca. “We are so proud of their achievements, and we know their successes will continue as they move forward in their academic careers.”

The two scholarship recipients are Jacob Fisk, who graduated from TMCC High School, and Jenna Sims, who graduated from McQueen High School. Jacob plans to study veterinary medicine, while Jenna will focus her studies on music and biology.

Colleges and universities sponsor National Merit Scholarships that are renewable and cover up to four years of undergraduate study at the sponsor institution. Stipends range from $500 to $2,000 per year. Within those limits, officials at the college determine each winner’s annual merit scholarship stipend using financial information filed with the institution. The University of Nevada, Reno, became an official sponsor under the National Merit Scholarship program in 2009.

These students join the ranks of eight other WCSD students who received National Merit scholarships, including:

National Merit Scholarships-- $2,500

• Patrick Briggs, Reno High School
• Lucas Gallo, Reno High School
• Nathaniel Haas, Reno High School

College-Sponsored National Merit Scholarships-- $500-$2,000

• Lily Shay Daylami, Wooster High School
• Jade Ericksen, Reno High School
• Andrea Sanford, Reno High School
• Anna Stachofsky, Galena High School
• Douglas Yan, McQueen High School