EVANSTON, Ill. — Eight local students have been named semifinalist in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

They are Henry Dimitri, Edward Little High School, Auburn; Miriam Asch, Hall-Dale High School, Farmingdale; Henri B. McCourt, Mount Blue High School, Farmington; Jayden B. Brown, Lincoln Academy, Newcastle; Ella Martinez Nocito, Ethan Smith and Cooper Tarbuck, Maranacook Community High School, Readfield; and Alexander Turner, Waterville Senior High School.

These high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring, according to a news release from the corporation.

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