RUMFORD — Eight local high school seniors from five area high schools have been awarded a total of $16,000 in the form of NewPage Rumford Mill Engineering Scholarships.

Applicants were selected based on acceptance into an engineering program in power, electrical, mechanical, chemical or pulp and paper at a four-year accredited university or college of choice, a written essay, “Why I Chose to Pursue a Career in Engineering,” as well as their community service, leadership and extra-curricular participation throughout their high school career.

The following high school graduates have been selected to receive $2,000 in scholarship funding:

Nicholas Crutchfield, Dirigo High School, son of Dave and Kathy Crutchfield, will study power engineering at Maine Martime Academy.

Kelton Cullenberg, Mt. Blue High School, son of Arvid and Kelley Cullenberg, will attend the University of Maine at Orono for mechanical engineering.

Eli Dolloff, Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, son of Mark and Barbara Dolloff, will study electrical engineering at Old Dominion University in Virginia.

Jared Foster, Mt. Blue High School, son of Vicki and Peter Foster, will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York to study mechanical engineering.

Nicholas Hart, Mt. Blue High School, son of Neil and Kellee Hart, will attend the University of Maine at Orono for chemical engineering.

Jordan Theriault, Mountain Valley High School, son of Valarie Theriault and Peter Theriault, will attend the University of Maine at Orono to study mechanical engineering.

Kara Zadakis, Telstar Regional High School, daughter of Joseph and Robin Zadakis, will attend the University of Maine at Orono.

Carl Zurhorst, Mountain Valley High School, son of Craig and Mary Zurhorst, will attend the George Washington University, in Washington, D.C., where he will study mechanical engineering.