Area students are National Merit scholars

YOUNGSTOWN — Five area high school students are among 2,800 students across the country awarded National Merit Scholarships by colleges and universities.

Each sponsoring college selected its scholarship winners from among the finalists in the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their institution.

The awards range from $500 to $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study.

The local recipients and the schools offering them scholarships are:

Aneesh Rai of Canfield: Graduate of Canfield High School: Texas A&M University: Probable career field — entrepreneurship.

Emily K, Seiders of Poland: Poland Seminary High School: Miami University: Probable career field — international relations.

Anthony L. Christensen of Ravenna: Rootstown High School: Case Western Reserve University: Probable career field — software design.

Michael D. Boker of Warren: Howland High School: Ohio State University; Probable career field — engineering.

Alexandra M. Allegretto of Youngstown: Boardman High School: Case Western Reserve University: Probable career field — mathematics.