FROM STAFF REPORTS

Forty-five students from Alabama public schools have won college-sponsored scholarships in the annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

The following local students have been awarded college scholarships through the National Merit program: Hamilton S. Carpenter of Oak Mountain High received a National Merit Scholarship to Vanderbilt University, Carly A. Palmour of Oak Mountain High received a National Merit Scholarship to the University of Alabama and Nathaniel H. Reeve of Oak Mountain High received a National Merit Scholarship to Auburn University.

Scholarship recipients were selected from a list of finalists in the 2008 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend the sponsoring institutions. These awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study.

To compete for National Merit Scholarships, Alabama’s winners had to qualify as

semifinalists and fulfill all the requirements for the finalist level.