Local students named NMS semifinalists

Nine West Orange County high school students have been named among the estimated 16,000 semifinalists in the 60th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

These academically talented seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth about $33 million that will be offered next spring.

Local students recognized include:

• Olympia High School: Mariana D. Baroni, Hunter T. Johnson and Ashka A. Stephen

• Dr. Phillips High School: Charlaine V. Chen, Emily E. Kliewer and Erica Lindbeck

• West Orange High School: Emily K. Crowell and Tristan G. Trechsel

• Home-school: Spencer T. Peterson

Three types of scholarships will be offered. A total of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 scholarships will be awarded on a state-representational basis. About 1,000 corporate-sponsored awards will be provided by about 240 corporations and business organizations. And about 200 colleges and universities are expected to finance some 4,100 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for finalists who will attend the sponsor institution.

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