Eight recent graduates, all residents of St. Tammany, are receiving scholarships from universities as part of the National Merit Scholar program. They are part of the 2,800 finalists of the National Merit Scholarship program financed by colleges and universities across the country.

Students receiving scholarships are:

• Lisa L. Brady of Folsom graduated of St. Scholastica Academy in Covington. She received a scholarship from the University of Alabama. She plans to enter the healthcare care or international relations field. • Bradley M. Delaune of Mandeville graduated from Jesuit High School in New Orleans. He received a scholarship from Texas A & M and will study computer engineering.

• Emma S. Fick of Covington has received a scholarship from the University of Alabama and will study English. She is a graduate of the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts in Natchitoches.

Joshua D. Frick, a graduate of Salmen High School and resident of Slidell received a scholarship from Louisiana State University where he will study mechanical engineering.

Wendelyn L. Morrell will study either theatre or dentistry and he received a scholarship from Mississippi State University. The Slidell resident graduated from Northshore High School.

St. Tammany Student of the Year Samantha Parker has received a scholarship from Texas A & M University where she will prepare for a career in medicine. She graduated from Fontainebleau High School and lives in Covington.

Elise A. Prete of Mandeville, a graduate of St. Scholastica Academy in Covington, received a scholarship from Furman University in Greenville, S. C. where she will study mathematics.

Nicole E. Schrock, a Northshore High School graduate from Slidell will study biomedical engineering at Texas A & M University.

To become a National Merit finalist, less then 1 percent of all high school graduates, a student must have an outstanding academic record, be endorsed and recommended by a school official, earn SAT scores that confirm the qualifying test scores and provide an essay describing activities, interests and goals.

More than 15,000 semifinalists met requirements for finalist standing and half were scholarship winners in 2009.