Three Platteville High School seniors are semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Michelle Clough, Rachael Demaree and Sumaia Masoom are among 16,000 high school seniors eligible for 8,000 National Merit Scholarships totaling $35 million that will be offered this coming 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 be named finalists, and more than half of finalists earn a National Merit Scholarship.

Every finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit $2500 Scholarships that will be awarded on a state representational basis. About 1,000 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards will be provided by approximately 240 corporations and business organizations for Finalists who meet their specified criteria.