Officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation recently announced the names of approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the 58th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,300 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million offered next spring.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the 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 in the spring of 2013. Every finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 scholarships awarded on state representational basis. About 1,000 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards will be provided by approximately 240 corporations and business organizations for finalists who meet their specified criteria, such as children of the grantor's employees or residents of communities where sponsor plants or offices are located.

In addition, about 200 colleges and universities are expected to finance some 4,800 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for finalists who will attend the sponsor institution.

Semifinalists from Emmaus High School include: Daniel J. Brndjar, Terence J. Cawley, Thomas Y. Fang, Ryan A. Jaeger, Connor E. Maake and Neeraj K. Tatikola.