National Merit Scholarship Corp. announced the names of about 16,000 sSemifinalists in the 65th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

They include Roshen C. Amin of Salisbury High School and Hannah Jeanne Rowe of Arkansas. Rowe is the granddaughter of Clyde and Judy Massey of Cleveland, N.C.

These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for  7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million that will be offered next spring.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. More than 90 percent of semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and about half of the finalists will win a scholarship.