Two local students are among the 1,600 semifinalists nationwide vying for scholarships in the 2006 National Achievement Scholarship Program, a competition for African American high school students.

Aria Reid of Fayette County High and Melanie Long of Sandy Creek High were selected as semifinalists from more than 130,000 students from all parts of the U.S. who requested consideration in the program when they took the 2004 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) as high school juniors.

To advance to the finalist level, semifinalists must present a record of high academic performance throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the school principal, earn SAT scores that confirm the PSAT/NMSQT performance and write a self-descriptive essay. The semifinalist and a school official must also complete a scholarship application in which they provide information about the student’s participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities and educational goals.

Approximately 1,300 semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing in the 2006 competition where participants will compete for 800 achievement scholarship awards worth some $2.5 million that will be offered next spring for college undergraduate study.