NORWAY — A local student has been awarded the Norway Historical Society’s first annual scholarship.

Karianna Merrill, a music education major at the University of Southern Maine and daughter of Steve and Sharon Merrill of Norway, was this year’s recipient of the $500 scholarship.

Ann Siekman, Historical Society trustee, said the scholarship is awarded to a deserving student who must show evidence that he or she has completed their first semester of college before the award is made.

Merrill, who was in the top 5 percent of students in the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School’s Class of 2010, applied for the scholarship and sent her grades for the first semester recently. On Saturday she was presented the check by Roy Gedat and treasurer and curator Charles Longley.

The scholarship money was donated from Norway residents Bill and Beatrice Damon and is funded for at least two years, Siekman said. Damon, a longtime selectman, has advocated the merits of education to young people. Siekman said Damon, a trustee of the Historical Society, came up with the idea for the scholarship.

“We hope to continue it,” Siekman said.

While the scholarship was technically announced last June, Siekman said it could not be awarded until proof of a semester completion was received.

“It was part of our guidance that they have to successfully complete the first semester. So we figured what a great opportunity to announce to the community she finished her first semester,” Siekman said.

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