4 students in region are semifinalists in program

Staff report

evanston, ill.

Four high school students from the Mahoning and Shenango valleys are semifinalists in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Emily Gianetti of Canfield High School, Gianna Parella of Cardinal Mooney High School, Jeremiah D. Kibler of Ursuline High School and Anna Munson of Grove City, who is home-schooled, are among 16,000 semifinalists in the 58th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

The academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for 8,300 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 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.

About 90 percent of semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing and more than half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.