The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced the names of about 16,000 semifinalists — 70 from Hawai'i — in the 54th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

The high school seniors will continue in the competition for some 8,200 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $35 million. The scholarships will be offered next spring.

Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

Three types of National Merit Scholarship awards will be offered in the spring of 2009.

Every Finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 scholarships that will be awarded on a state representational basis.

About 1,100 corporate-sponsored scholarships will be provided by some 300 corporations and business organizations for finalists who meet their specified criteria.

About 200 colleges and universities are also expected to finance some 4,600 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for Finalists who will attend the sponsor institution.

Here is a list of the Hawai'i semifinalists for the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program:

Hilo High School: Nicole K. Casart.

Hawaii Baptist Academy: Alyssa S. Imai.

'Iolani School: Kristelle K. Aisaka, Keiko A. Akamine, Shantel H. Asada, Nikki A. Castel, Bhasha Chakrabarti, Kai Y. Chen, Kevin J. Duong, Joseph T. Durso, Alexa J. Hettwer, Lianne T. Ho, Julia Bree M. Horie, Grant Iwamoto, Jueun Jang, Amy M. Ko, Jeffery T. Kwock, Qingyun Liao, Amelia K. Linsky, David M. Martorana, Jackelyn A. McMillan, Celia Y. Ou, Zoe M. Petticord, Jeffrey T. Sakamoto, Jessica S. Saylors, Zachary P. Simao, Robert J. Tamai, Kevin T. Tanaka, Eve Y. Tang, Samantha Tasaki, Elysse S. Tom, Uyanga Tsedev, Lauren E. Walker, Danielle M. Wilson, Emily K. Yamamura, Sean J. Yancey, Craig M. Yugawa and Julia A. Zhang.

La Pietra: Sandy N. Xu.

Maryknoll School: Juliana G. Besenbruch.

Mid-Pacific Institute: Anne-Claire N. Saint Georges.

Moanalua High School: Edward J. Ruan, Michelle M. Ward.

Punahou School: Allison J. Chen, Sophia Y. Chen, Kelsey G. Ezer, Jeffrey O. Hamada, Susan S. Hirai, Erik K. Horn, Mark K. Inada, John X. Jiao, William A. Kearns, Erica B. Lee, Justin Lee, Christopher L. Medeiros, Christopher K. Nagashima, Lauren M. Otaguro, Nicholas H. Schaefer, Samantha J. Silverberg, Kim G. Takinami, Elise L. Timtim, Carrie M. Tribble, Eric M. Wu, Nicolas R. Yamagata, Julie M. Yamashiro, Jessica E. Yoshimi.

Hawaii Preparatory Academy: Sac N. Ainge.

Kamehameha Schools, Hawaii Campus: Keoni Correa.

Kaua'i High School: Nerissa G. Hoglen.

Mililani High School: Lucia Mocz.