MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – Six Marion County students—all part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at Vanguard High School—are semifinalists in the 72nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

All six seniors now advance in the prestigious scholarship program.

This year’s Marion County class members include:

  • Nirav Borade, 17, son of Raj Borade and Shilpa Oberoi. Nirav plans to study chemistry at either Duke University or the University of Florida to become a neurosurgeon.
  • Miles Burdette, 17, is the son of Eric and Melissa Burdette. He plans to study electrical engineering at Georgia Tech.
  • Gabrielle “Gabby” Javelona, 17, daughter of Rommel Javelona and Shirley Ellacer. She plans to study biochemistry at either Harvard University or the University of Florida to become an endodontist.
  • Nektarios Lavdas, 17, son of Dean and Joanna Lavdas. Nektarios plans to study computer science at the University of Florida.
  • Michael Ribay, 17, son of Daniel and Tess Ribay. Michael plans to study environmental engineering at the University of Florida.
  • Ifeanyichukwu Samuel, 17, son of Chukwuemeke and Joan Samuel. Ifeanyichukwu plans to study psychology at Yale University for a career in medicine.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation operates the program that requires high school students to take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

Less than 1 percent of high school seniors nationwide even qualify for this program, an annual academic competition for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships that started in 1955. This year, more than 1.2 million students entered the competition with just 16,000 reaching the semifinals.

Semifinalists compete to become finalists for some 6,700 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $24 million to be awarded next spring.

To be named a finalist, students must submit a detailed scholarship application including academic records, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. They must also be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT or ACT scores confirming their earlier performance on the qualifying test.

For more information, contact the National Merit Scholarship Program at nationalmerit.org.