Ajay Batra, son of Anil and Renu Batra and Sanchay Gupta, son of Arun and Rachna Gupta, won the National Merit Scholarship by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Sanchay is also named a 2011 Presidential Scholar from Nevada.

The scholarship consists of $2,500 cash award is funded by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation’s own funds.  Both, Ajay and Sanchay currently attend the prestigious private Meadows School and are members of the graduating class of 2011.

Ajay Batra is planning to pursue a career in Scientific Research, while Sanchay Gupta is planning to pursue a career in Medicine.  Beginning fall 2011, Sanchay is joining Stanford to pursue his passion for Medicine.  Sanchay is also named a 2011 Presidential Scholar.

Each year, up to 141 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.  Sanchay is one of the two students from Nevada who is selected as a Presidential Scholar.  U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is a recognition program. Sanchay will receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D. C. in June and the U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House, in commemoration of his achievements.

The 2,500 Merit Scholar designee  were chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding Finalists in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program.  National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners are the Finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. They were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors. These Scholars may use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university.
The majority of scholarships offered each year are underwritten by approximately 440 independent corporate and college sponsors that share NMSC’s goals of honoring scholastically talented youth and enhancing their educational opportunities.