[SatNews] Merit scholarships are handed out to engineering students...

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has announced the winners of its annual Northrop Grumman Engineering Scholars program, which awards merit-based college scholarships—payable in $2,500 installments over four years—to local high school students planning to pursue a career in engineering.

Wade Wilson, a graduate of Apopka High School, and Matthew Darby, a graduate of Winter Springs High School, each received the merit-based scholarships from the company for their outstanding academic achievements and community involvement. Wilson will attend the University of Central Florida in the fall, while Darby will attend the University of Virginia. Both students will major in aerospace/mechanical engineering.

"Our nation needs young people to consider pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and math," said Gordon Stewart, vice president and general manager of the company's Laser Systems business unit, located in Apopka. "Through the Engineering Scholars program, we can support bright, motivated students in our community as they work towards technical degrees." A committee of Northrop Grumman Laser Systems employees selected the Engineering Scholars winners. To be eligible, each scholarship applicant had to be a resident of Orange or Seminole County and a graduating senior this spring from a public or accredited private high school. Applicants also had a minimum composite SAT score of 1,700 or ACT score of 27 and a minimum GPA of 3.5. The committee also took into consideration work experience, community involvement and extracurricular activities.