Two Minnetonka Residents and One Student Win National Merit Scholarships

One Minnetonka High School student and two Minnetonka residents will receive corporate-sponsored National Merit scholarships this year.

Graham Giesting, who lives in Minnetonka and attends Hopkins High School, has been awarded a National Merit Cargill Scholarship. He expects to pursue a degree in biological engineering, according to a news release from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Sidharth D. Gopinath, who lives in Minnetonka and attends Hopkins High School, has been awarded a National Merit General Mills Foundation Scholarship. 

Russell P. Nelson, who lives in Eden Prairie and attends Minnetonka High School, will receive a National Merit Emerson Electric Co. Scholarship.

"Most of these awards are renewable for up to four years of college undergraduate study and provide annual stipends that range from $500 to $10,000 per year," according to the news release. "Some provide a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000. Recipients can use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university of their choice."