FROM STAFF REPORTS

HOOVER – The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced the names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 64th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million that will be offered next spring.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition.

About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

Semifinalists from Spain Park High School include Zachary Shaw, Rory Luthin, William Schoel, Anastasia Zellner, Lauren Choi, Manish Nagaraj, Benjamin Hartwiger and Bryce Thornton.

NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 410 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.