The University of Arizona, Tucson, presented the Arizona Excellence Award to Cara Chronis, a June graduate of Los Altos High School. The $2,000 scholarship is renewable for four years and intended to support students who maintain a commitment to excellence throughout their academic career.

Brian Hou, a student at Mountain View High School, is conducting research in particle-packing characteristics that has implications for the way medications can be packaged and shipped. As a participant in the UC Davis School of Education’s Young Scholars Program, Hou is working under the guidance of physics professor Rena Zieve in the UC Davis Laboratory. He will prepare a paper and presentation about his research as part of his project.

The following National Merit Scholar designees have received college-sponsored awards of $500-$2,000 annually for up to four years of study at the institution financing the scholarship:

Stephanie H. Fan of Los Altos, a graduate of Los Altos High School, was awarded a UC San Diego Merit Scholarship.

Daniel A. Wright of Sunnyvale, a graduate of Homestead High School, was awarded a Dickinson College Merit Scholarship. Dickinson is located in Carlisle, Pa.

Mountain View High School graduates:

Alexander R. Henke and Noam A. Levy of Los Altos each received a Whitman College Merit Scholarship. Whitman is located in Walla Walla, Wash.

Melanie S. Hui of Los Altos received a UCLA Merit Scholarship.

Jeffrey A. Hamilton of Mountain View received a Tufts University Merit Scholarship.

Reid T. Koster of Mountain View received a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hills Merit Scholarship.