The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced the names of approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the 58th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,300 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million, which will be awarded in the spring.

Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level. About 90 percent 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.

Three types of National Merit Scholarships will be offered. Each finalist will compete for one of 2,500 scholarships worth $2,500 that will be awarded on a state representational basis. Corporate-sponsored awards will be provided by corporations and business organizations for finalists who meet their specified criteria. Colleges and universities finance college-sponsored awards for finalists who will attend the sponsor institution.

Below is a list of local semifinalists:

Charleston Catholic High School: Emily A. Gould, Samantha G. Harris, Jad Malas, Danielle A. Sadd, Eoin M. Tinney.

Homeschool: Rebekah R. Martin (Charleston), Christian Smith (South Charleston), Anna M. Sodaro (Scott Depot).

George Washington High School: Michael M. Baek, Shannon O. Kelsh, Jacob A. Nason, Amanda G. Nelson, Ahmed M. Shammaa, Andrew N. Sivaprakasam, Laura E. Wright.

Herbert Hoover High School: Sarah C. Seabolt.

Hurricane High School: Vivian Yao, Sylvia T. Zhang.

Oak Hill High School: Michael T. McGraw.

South Charleston High School: Kylie Joins, Matthew Massie, Isabella M. Sanchez.

Winfield High School: Eva Dunn.

Area semifinalist named for 2013 National Achievement Scholarship Program

Andrea E. Tyree, a student at George Washington High School was designated a semifinalist in the 49th annual National Achievement Scholarship Program. Tryee will compete for one of approximately 800 Achievement Scholarships, which recognizes academically promising black students throughout the nation.

American Scholar competition begins

Magic 106.5 and West Virginia Wesleyan will award scholarships to North Central West Virginia students through the American Scholar Program, which provides a full, four-year scholarship to Wesleyan that includes tuition, room and board. The first and second runners-up will receive four-year scholarships of $5,000 and $2,500 respectively in addition to other Wesleyan academic awards. In addition, each finalist will receive a Kindle Fire or iPad.

Students from Barbour, Braxton, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Randolph, Ritchie, Taylor, Tucker and Upshur counties are eligible for the competition.

Students can apply online at www.wvmagic.com or submit a paper application to West Virginia Wesleyan's Office of Admission. Scholarship candidates are required to send Wesleyan their high school transcript and ACT or SAT scores. All application materials must be submitted before Oct. 31.

The program is sponsored by West Virginia Wesleyan, in conjunction with West Virginia Radio Corporation and the law firm, Columbo & Stuhr, PLLC. For more information about the program, contact the Wesleyan Office of Admission at 800-722-9933.

Class Notes is a way to recognize the academic accomplishments of area students. We accept news of scholarships, academic awards and other scholastic achievements. We do not accept honor roll lists or news related to sports and extracurricular activities.

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