FOUR MERIT SEMIFINALISTS NAMED FROM CENTRAL HIGH

Four students from Cape Girardeau Central High School have been named semifinalists in the 1994 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Semifinalists Yung H. Park, Andrew G. Trueblood, Jessica S. Wagner and Christy L. Wetzel are among 15,000 students named to this group.

These seniors are among those competing nationally for more than 6,500 Merit Scholarships, worth over $25 million, to be awarded next spring.

The nationwide semifinalist pool includes about half of 1 percent of each state's high school graduating class.

More than one million juniors in over 19,000 U.S. high schools entered the 1994 Merit program by taking the 1992 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The number of semifinalists designated in each state is allocated according to the state's percentage of the national total of graduating high school seniors.

Semifinalists are the top scorers in each state, and they must now advance to the finalist level of competition in order to be considered for Merit Scholarships.

To qualify as a finalist, a semifinalist must fulfill additional requirements. About 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to become finalists and all Merit Scholars will be chosen from this group.

Trueblood is involved in cross country, Red Dagger, the International Thespians Society, Scholar Bowl, National Honor Society, Beta Club, Chemistry Bowl and Knowledge Master. He was named to the All-District Scholar Bowl Team, attended American Legion Boys State of Missouri, Missouri Scholars Academy and Duke TIP in England program. He is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Michael Trueblood.

Wetzel is involved in Beta Club, Student Council and National Honor Society. She is the drum major for the varsity band and first chair bassoon. She also was named first chair bassoon player in the All-District Band and has received top ratings at state competitions. She is the daughter of Lee A. And Eugenia M. Wetzel

Park is president of the Future Business Leaders of America club, a member of the varsity gold team, Chemistry Bowl, Scholar Bowl, National Honor Society, Beta Club, Letterman's Club, swim team, marching and concert band and Student Senate. He also was nominated to the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad. He is the son of Dr. Kang Hoon and Seung Hye Park.

Wagner is a member of the marching band color guard, Student Council, National Honor Society, Red Dagger drama club, orchestra and DECA. She also was named to Who's Who in American High Schools and attended the Missouri Scholars Academy. She is the daughter of Roger and Ann Wagner.