Staff Writer

jsibley@theeasleyprogress.com

PICKENS COUNTY - Four students from Easley High School can sit back and share the spotlight with 146 other seniors in South Carolina who have been named semi-finalists in the 54th annual National Merit Scholarship program.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation and the S.C. Department of Education highlighted Christopher Bourean, Jeanni Haas, Ammar Joudeh and Paisley Lewis as four of the 16,000 students to reach the rankings nationwide.

By participating in the PSAT, students scored high enough to be qualified and represent less than 1 percent of each state's high school seniors.

These students now have the opportunity to be considered for Merit Scholarship awards after qualifying as finalists by completing the National Merit Scholarship Application and fulfilling several other requirements.

"These four semifinalists will no doubt be offered additional scholarship money from colleges they are applying to and may be recruited by colleges because of their high achievement," said Kathy Porter, EHS director of guidance.

About 90 percent of the students named are expected to attain finalist standing, according to a release.

"As a principal, I am always delighted when our students demonstrate excellence," said Betty Garrison, EHS principal. "These four students are highly motivated and well-rounded."

There are around 8,200 Merit Scholarship awards worth $35 million. Established in 1955, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a nonprofit organization that is supported in part by approximately 500 businesses and higher education institutions.