Emmaus High School recently announced its area National Merit Scholars semifinalists.

The semifinalists will continue in the National Merit Scholarship Program competition.

This is the 62nd year of the scholarship program.

National Merit Scholarships will be offered in three types in the spring of 2017. All finalists will compete for one of 2,500 state-representational awards. Approximately 1,000 corporate-sponsored awards will be provided by 230 corporations and business organizations. And about 190 colleges and universities are expected to finance about 4,000 college-sponsored awards for finalists who will attend the sponsoring institution.

In alphabetical order Emmaus High School seniors named semifinalists are: Julia A. Bezems; Jason L. Bowen; Jereme Chien, Eric R. Chichocki, Ben Luo, Jie Luo, Tara H. Maake, Lasair M. Ni Chochlain, Kelley Yang, Bowen D. Yao and Daniel D. Yu.

Bezems is a musician who teaches piano and is a member of the Math League. She plans to study music and computer science.

Bowen has held lead roles in several school plays and is a co-founder of the Young Politicians Club at EHS. He plans to study political science and theatre arts.

Chien, also a musician, volunteers at the Lower Macungie Library. Chien plans to study mathematics.

Cichocki is an athlete who plays on the varsity baseball, basketball and golf teams. He also is a Hornet Ambassador. He plans to study business and engineering.

Ben Luo is a musician, playing in the marching band, jazz ensemble, percussion ensemble and pit orchestra. His plans include studying political science.

Jie Luo is a mentor in the computer science league and president of the math club. He also works outside school.

Maake volunteers with the Pool Wildlife Sanctuary and is a summer camp counselor in the Lower Macungie Township playground program. Maake plans to study 3-D animation.

Ni Chochlain, a musician, is a member of the marching band and concert band and a piano competition judge. She plans to study biochemistry.

Yang, a musician, founded the flute choir at EHS and is first chair flutist in the symphonic band and orchestra. She is a co-founder of the International Justice Mission Club at the school. She also is a tutor.

Yao is a member of the concert and marching bands at EHS as well as the academic team and Math League. He plans to study physics and computer science.

Yu, an athlete and musician, plays lacrosse and is member of the EHS Chorale and orchestra. He plans to study computer science.