MADISON – The 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program has announced its Semifinalists for 2021, and Madison City Schools is well represented.

MCS again has excelled in the academic contest with nine students from James Clemens High School and eight students from Bob Jones High School qualifying as 2021 National Merit Semifinalists.

“Madison City Schools again has among the highest number of merit semifinalists of any other school district in Alabama,” MCS Public Relations Manager John Peck said. “The nine at James Clemens and eight at Bob Jones combined to place MCS second in the state among (all) school districts.”

These high school seniors can apply their academic talent to continue in the running for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million. National Merit will award the scholarships in spring 2021.

Honorees from James Clemens are Caroline M. Bendickson, Elizabeth C. Congo, Logan F. Cook, Nikhita S. Mudium, Alyson Park, Samuel M. Pratt, Devika Shankar, Duke D. Yeom and Justin J. Yoon.

Semifinalists from Bob Jones are William C. Bao, Nolan J. Drummond, Olivia D. Jones, Joshua H. Lin, Matthias Osadcii, Isaac L. Wang, James Yoo and John Yoo.

Also from Madison, home-school students Joseph R. Nance and Nicole R. Stark earned the honor. Westminster Christian Academy has four Semi-finalists: Matthew E. Johnson, John B. Lange, Noah E. Murphree and Madison R. Taylor.

To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed application that includes the student’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment and honors received. The student must write an essay. A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school and a school official’s endorsement.

Three types of National Merit Scholarships are available:

* State representation — All finalists compete for one of 2,500 National Merit Scholarships for $2,500 each, awarded on a state-representational basis.

* Corporate sponsors — Approximately 220 corporations and businesses award 1,000 scholarships to employee’s children and local youth.

* College sponsors — About 180 colleges finance some 4,100 scholarships to prospective students.

For more information, visit nationalmerit.org.