The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, in conjunction with American City Business Journals has awarded Richard N. Sanders of Heritage High School its American City Business Journals Scholarship for 2008. The scholarship provides Richard with an annual stipend for the school of his choice for four years.

Richard is a "4.0 and above" student at Heritage and is active in student government currently serving as Treasurer of the Student Body's Executive Council.

Commenting on the award, Scott Bemis, publisher of the Denver Business Journal, said "I join Richard's family in congratulating Richard on this tremendous accomplishment. Richard had to compete with a large number of students and I'm proud of the fact that he came out on top. I know that his successes will continue from here as he embarks on his college career and eventually, his career of choice."

Scholarships awarded through National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) programs are regarded as some of the highest academic honors attainable by U.S. high school students. Last year NMSC awarded scholarships valued at over $51 million to more than 10,600 qualified students. Although NMSC underwrites more than a quarter of the scholarships with its own funds, most awards are provided by hundreds of independent sponsor organizations. Currently, some 300 corporations, company foundations and businesses and about 200 colleges and universities provide National Merit Scholarship Corporation scholarships.

NMSC conducts scholarship programs for corporations, company foundations and other business organizations. Corporations sponsor scholarships to recognize and encourage academically talented students, foster loyalty among employees, initiate promising relationships between companies and students, and identify potential candidates for internships and employment.

Most corporate-sponsored awards are designated for children of a sponsor's employees or members. In this case, the sponsor is the American City Business Journals. Richard's mother, Sheila, is employed as an Account Executive at the Denver Business Journal.