EVANSTON, Illinois — Officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 64th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. 

These high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million that will be offered next spring.

Local students include: Taylor K. Adkins, Juda High School and Ellawyn K. Fong, New Glarus High School. 

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

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