Seven Cherokee County School District high school seniors were named 2017 National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists!

They are: Creekview HSs Jack Pace, River Ridge HSs Anabelle Paulino, Sequoyah HSs Katie Bates and Alex Morrison and Woodstock HSs Alex Andon, A.J. Cox and Evan Vines.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has named 16,000 semi-finalists, who were selected based on outstanding 2015 PSAT scores. Less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors are named semi-finalists.

To be considered as a finalist, the students next will submit a detailed application, noting their academic achievements, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment and honors. An endorsement and recommendation from a high school official and an essay are also required, and students must earn SAT scores that confirm their PSAT performance.

The anticipated 15,000 finalists will compete for 7,500 scholarships worth about $33 million, which will be awarded in the spring.