Top Minnesota seniors will compete for national scholarships

Last update: September 22, 2009 - 4:42 PM

Scores of Minnesota high school seniors were named semifinalists in the 55th annual National Merit Scholarship Program last week. They are among about 16,000 nationally who will compete for roughly 8,200 National Merit Scholarships worth a combined $36 million.

The number of semifinalists for each state is proportional to that state's percentage of the nation's graduating seniors.

Finalists will be named in four phases between April and July. They will be chosen based on their academic records, endorsements and SAT scores, plus essays and school and community activities.

Semifinalists from the north metro area include:

ALBERTVILLE -- St. Michael-Albertville H.S.: Brigetta Roden

ANDOVER -- Andover H.S.: Wesley Reinhart; Jacob Rubash; Ellen Squires

ANOKA -- Anoka H.S.: Andrew Erickson; Patrick Voltin

ARDEN HILLS -- Mounds View H.S.: Christina Hu; Vince Kato; Kevin Zang; Simon Zhang; Katherin Zimmerman

BLAINE -- Blaine H.S.: Hannah Christensen

CHAMPLIN -- Champlin Park H.S.: Daniel Kastl

CIRCLE PINES -- Centennial H.S.: Samantha Cassell

COON RAPIDS -- Coon Rapids H.S.: Renee Vanasse

FRIDLEY -- Totino-Grace H.S.: Matthew Hauwiller; Benjamin Lund

MAPLE GROVE -- Maple Grove H.S.: Juhee Kwon

NEW BRIGHTON -- Irondale H.S.: Erik Johnson; Michelle Victora

NEW HOPE -- Robbinsdale Cooper H.S.: Katherine Bergstrom

PAUL WALSH

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