Class of 2022 graduate from South River High School John Hooker is the recipient of a coveted scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Hooker is among 2,600 scholars from across the nation who will each receive between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study. He plans to study data science at the University of Maryland College Park. 
National Merit Scholars earn the honor based on their excellent academic records, standardized test performances, school and community leadership, essay submissions, and high school recommendations.
With an additional 3,500 corporate-sponsored and $2,500 single-payment scholarships previously announced, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation will award about $28 million this year.