(Bradenton, FL - July 12, 2010) Christopher J. Ratzel, a 2010 graduate of Southeast High School, was awarded one of more than 1,900 additional National Merit Scholarships financed by colleges and universities announced today by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Ratzel´s scholarship award was financed by Washington University in St. Louis.

These Merit Scholar designees join over 2,800 other college-sponsored award recipients who were announced in late May. Officials of each sponsor college selected their winners from among Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program who will attend their institution. College-sponsored awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship. This year 201 colleges and universities are sponsoring about 4,900 Merit Scholarship awards. Sponsor colleges, located in 45 states and the District of Columbia, include 120 private and 81 public institutions.

This final group of winners brings the number of 2010 National Merit Scholars to approximately 8,400. These distinguished high school graduates will receive scholarships for undergraduate study worth a total of approximately $36 million.

Manatee District students who were previously announced as 2010 National Merit Scholarship recipients include Po-Yi Ho of Lakewood Ranch High, Courtnei A. Smith of Southeast High and Maya J. Meredith of Southeast High.