Three lakes area students named National Merit Scholars

Three Brainerd lakes area students have earned the distinction of being named National Merit Scholars, it was announced today.

Johnny Leitner, the son of John and Joyce Leitner of Nisswa; Rebecca Haberkorn, the daughter of Jeffrey and Elaine Haberkorn; and Jonathan Wichmann, the son of Paul and Marilyn Wichmann of Little Falls, were selected as three of 52 Minnesota high school seniors to receive this honor and will receive $2,000 National Merit Scholarships.

There were 2,500 students nationwide to receive the $2,000 scholarships.

To qualify as a National Merit Scholar, finalists were evaluated by their academic records, including difficulty level of course work and subjects studied; scores from two tests; and contributions and leadership in school and community.

Haberkorn plans to attend Carleton College in Northfield and major in mathematics. At Aitkin High School, she was involved with band, jazz band, Business Professionals of America, National Honor Society, student council, tennis, knowledge bowl and was selected as valedictorian of her senior class.

Leitner was chosen as co-valedictorian of his senior class at Pequot Lakes High School. In high school, he was involved in speech, cross-country, state all-academic team, knowledge bowl, National Honor Society, concert and jazz band, science fair, economics team, mock trial, SADD, and school and community theater productions.

He plans to attend University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., and major in biology/political science.

Both Leitner and Haberkorn were selected as two of the 10 Presidential Scholar candidates in the state.

Wichmann is ranked second in his graduating class at Little Falls High School. In high school, he was involved with knowledge bowl, all-school and one-act plays, math league, band, wind ensemble and jazz band, speech, Key Club, and video production club.

He also earned the distinction last year of becoming one of only a handful of students from around the state who earned a perfect ACT score of 36. Wichmann plans to attend Carleton College and major in English.

"It's pretty cool," said Wichmann. "It's something I've been hoping for."