Officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the names of approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the 66th annual National Merit

Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 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.

Over 90% of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and more than half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

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 400 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.

To learn more, visit www.nationalmerit.org.

From La Cañada Flintridge, the following students advanced to the semifinalist position:

Flintridge Preparatory School: John MacLeod, Rodolf Ruiz, Claire A. Senft.

La Canada High School: Derek Ahn, Ian Baik, Hee Su Chung, Trin J. Chung, Reza Hemmati, Derek L. Jiang, Olivia L. Joung, Chase A. Kerstein, Jordan A. Lay, Nadia L. Lintag, Michael T. Lisano, Ellaney N. Matarese, Cassidy M. Olson, Amelia E. Seropian, Leila R. Thompsky.

From La Crescenta, the following students advanced to the semifinalist position:

Crescenta Valley High School: Anahita Ahmadi, Prashanth S. Bhaskara, Adarsh Chilkunda, Jaya S. Hamkins, Margaret W. Kim, Sarah Nakama.

From Tujunga, Alex Yeghikian of Verdugo Hills High School advanced to the semifinalist position.