Local Students Named Semifinalists in 2012 National Scholarship Program

Five local students have been named as semifinalists in the 2012 National Achievement Scholarship Program out of more than 160,000 high school juniors across the country.

Brandon M. Adams and Leonard J. Nettey from ; Konje M. Machini from and Monique E. and William E. Bailey, both home school students.

National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) officials announced Wednesday that more than 1,600 Black American high schoolers have been chosen to participate in the 48th annual program. These five Douglas County students will compete for approximately 800 Achievement Scholarships, worth more than $2.4 million, which will be awarded next Spring.

In order to advance to the Finalist level, students must present a record of high academic performance throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the high school principal, write an essay and earn high SAT scores. About 80 percent of Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing and more than half of the Finalists will win an Achievement Scholarship award. The student must also show active participation in school and community activities, demonstrate leadership abilities, as well as educational goals.

The NMSC conducts this privately financed academic competition without government assistance. Initiated in 1964, more than 31,000 students have received Acheivement Scholarship awards, worth more than $98 million.