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--> --> Merit scholar wowed by honor By Tamara Henderson Ashland Daily Tidings Ashland High School 2001 graduate Stella Copeland was recently named a Merit Scholar by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. She joins about 1,900 other college-sponsored awardees and more than 2,600 other students who were announced in late May. Copeland will receive $2,000 each year for the next four years from Colorado College, a small liberal arts school in Colorado Springs, Colo. She plans to major in biology, she said. Copeland would like to go into environmental research and has no idea if she will be returning to Ashland upon graduation. "It's pretty worthwhile, especially if you don't know what school you're going to," she said of the scholarship. Copeland and her parents agree she would have still attended college, probably Colorado College, regardless of the award. But the money will definitely help. "It was a boon and a surprise to us," her mother, Margaret Copeland said. "It's a wonderful thing that she can do this, not everyone can. I wish more people were allowed the opportunity." Copeland had to go through a time-consuming application process to be considered a finalist. Her initial PSAT/NMSQT score made her a semifinalist. Semifinalists were required to present an outstanding academic record, be endorsed and recommended by their high school, confirm qualifying test performance on a second test and provide an essay describing activities, interests and goals. Approximately 15,000 semifinalists, fewer than one percent of the nation's high school seniors, advanced to the finalist level. "I never thought I'd be a National Merit Scholar at all," said Copeland. "I thought it was a great honor." Copeland will leave for school at the end of August. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing