4 here are semifinalists for scholarships

Four Tucson-area high school seniors are semifinalists in the 2008 National Achievement Scholarship Program.

They are among 1,600 black Americans so honored.

Half will win scholarships next spring worth $2.5 million in the 44th annual Achievement Scholarship competition.

The local semifinalists are Biafra Ahanonu and Scott A. Frazier of Catalina Foothills High School in Catalina Foothills Unified School District and Kyle D. Avery of Ironwood Ridge High and Courtney Schwarz of Canyon del Oro High, both in Amphitheater Public Schools.

The National Achievement Program was initiated in 1964 as a privately financed academic competition conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corp.

More than 27,800 students have been awarded more than $88 million in scholarships in the competition in the last 43 years.

Scholarships are awarded based on a student's academic abilities, accomplishments and potential for success in college.