Brandon Twp.-Michael Via, a 2005 graduate of Brandon High School, has been named a National Merit Scholar.
Via received the designation after achieving a score in 99th percentile on the PSAT and a high score on the SAT college exam. As a National Merit Scholar, Via has received a yearly $1,000 scholarship from Michigan Technological University for four years, where he will major in chemical engineering.
‘I was very excited,? said Via of the honor. ‘It felt really good and will help to pay for some of college.?
Every year, 8,000 scholarships are awarded through the National Merit Scholar program. Via was the only student chosen from BHS this year. He also received a MEAP scholarship and is receiving a $5,000 academic scholarship per year from Michigan Tech.