Nikoli Schoenborn, a senior at Bottineau High School, and Melody Johnson, a senior at Rugby High School, have been named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program, according to a press release.

Students qualify based on scores on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test taken as juniors. To qualify as finalists, students must submit a detailed scholarship application with information about academics, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. Students must also submit a letter of recommendation from a school official, write an essay, and have a qualifying test score on the SAT or ACT.

Some students will win scholarships funded by the college they plan to attend, a corporation, or by the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Scholarship winners will be announced in the spring.