Semifinalists

Four local high school students were recognized with an elite honor as National Merit semifinalists this year.

Among this year's honorees:

* Elizabeth Kiblinger is a student at Notre Dame Regional High School. The 17-year-old does not know where she will continue her education but says she plans to study elementary education.

* Nathan Fridley is a 16-year-old Jackson High School student. Fridley hopes to attend Carleton College in Minnesota.

* Veronica Ely is a student at Cape Girardeau Central High School. Ely has not decided on which college to attend, but says she wants to be a physician.

* Lizzie Nussbaum, also a Central High School student, plans to study Spanish and biology in college. The 17-year-old plans to continue her education after college at medical school.

Less than 1 percent of students around the country receive this honor, and to have four local students -- out of 16,000 nationally -- qualify as semifinalists is impressive. This spring the scholarship recipients will be announced.

We are proud of these students' accomplishments and wish them all the best in their education and career pursuits.