The most in the area, 16 students from East Baton Rouge Parish School System, were recently named 2012 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists in the 57th annual national program. 

Nationally, some 16,000 Semifinalists were named in the program.  These academically talented high school seniors now have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,300 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $34 million that will be offered in the spring of 2012.

Baton Rouge Magnet High School led the district and the area with 15 Semifinalists:  Nicholas de Godoy Lopes, Mark Ditusa, Damon Doucet, Tyler Fox, Makaley Heughan, Ryan Lachney, Kalle Liimatta, Jasmine Miller, Alyssa Moore, Steven Olsen, Thomas Ray, Meghan St. Cyr, Joseph Villa, Yihui Yan and David Zhang.  In addition, McKinley High School announced William Cassidy as a Semifinalist.

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