Livermore Student Wins 2023 National Merit Scholarship

LIVERMORE, CA — Yoav Feigenbaum of Granada High School was awarded a corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship this year, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced Wednesday.

"Yoav is an exceptional person who excels in many areas. He is a National Merit Scholarship finalist, an Eagle Scout and a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo. His work ethic and problem solving ability set him apart from other students," Granada High School Principal Clark Conover told Patch.

Sponsors from 107 corporations, foundations and business organizations award scholarships to finalists who are either children of their employees; residents of communities the company serves; or plan to pursue college majors or careers the sponsor wishes to encourage, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Wednesday's scholarship winners were the first group of recipients announced as part of the 68th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Some of the scholarships provide a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000. Others provide annual stipends ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per year. The scholarships may be used at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university.

Across the Tri-Valley, Danville saw three winners, San Ramon five, Dublin two, and Pleasanton two.

Nationwide, 840 high school seniors received merit scholarships financed by some 107 corporations, company foundations, and other business organizations.

In 2023, 7,250 scholarships worth nearly $28 million were warded in multiple rounds, including scholarships underwritten by National Merit's own funds and by approximately 340 business organizations, colleges and universities.

Students entered the competition as juniors by taking the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screen for entrants. The scholarship winners were judged to have the strongest combination of academic and extracurricular achievements, school endorsements, and potential for university success.