Carl W. Sauter, a senior at Community High School District 94, has been selected as a winner of the National Merit $2,500 Scholarship. From more than 1.3 million students who entered the 2004 National Merit Scholarship Program, only about 16,000 were named Semifinalists. In order to advance in the competition and be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists had to become a Finalist by fulfilling several requirements that included submitting a detailed scholarship application and presenting a record of very high academic performance. All winners of about 8,000 Merit Scholarship awards were chosen from the group of approximately 15,000 distinguished Finalists.

Sauter will graduate from Community High School on June 6, 2004. He is the son of Eric and Marybeth Sauter of Winfield. "We are very proud of Carl," said CHS Principal John Highland. "This is an extraordinary accomplishment. Carl has had an exceptional record during high school, and we expect to see that continue in the future. We wish him continued success," he added.