CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE

Five Emmaus High School seniors are among semifinalists in the 2014 National Merit Scholaship Program.

Approximately 16,000 semifinalists are in the 59th annual program. The program is expected to award about $35 million in scholarships. Students who win a National Merit Scholarship earn the title Merit Scholar.

To compete for a finalist slot, each semifinalist must submit a scholarship application discussing the applicant's academic record and detailing participation in school and community activities, leadership roles, and employment, and listing honors and awards received.

Applications also include an essay and recommendation from a high school official. SAT scores also are evaluated.

In alphabetical order Emmaus High School seniors named semifinalists are Alan Bebout, Robert J. Bishop, Katrina Guido, Aife Ni Chochlain and Anna Overholts. Each student offers a range of achievements. The following notations are highlights from their respective records.

Bebout is a musician, plays soccer and is an Eagle Scout. Bishop, also an Eagle Scout, swims for Emmaus and plays oboe. Guido, plays tennis for Emmaus, is the editor-in-chief of The Stinger and also is a student columnist for The East Penn Press. Ni Chochlain plays and referees soccer, plays the Irish fiddle, and is an officer of the high school marching band. Overholts is a diver for Emmaus, lifeguards at the Emmaus Community Pool and participates in the Science Olympiad.

All EHS seminfinalists are members of the National Honor Society.