The last group of 2016 National Merit Scholars was announced recently, and Mid-Prairie student Joshua L. Gingerich of Kalona was among the recipients. He was among 800 winners that were added to the nearly 3,000 students who were announced in June, including fellow Mid-Prairie student Hannah M. VanRoekel. There were approximately 7,300 students awarded scholarships this year, chosen from a pool of around 15,000 from across the country. Officials from sponsor colleges selected their scholarship winners from among the finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program who will attend their institution. The awards provide $500 to $2,000 annually to the recipients. Gingerich will be attending the University of Iowa and plans on studying mathematics.