Forty-seven Howard County public school students -- representing every high school in the county -- have been named semifinalists in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship competition. 

The students will go on to compete with the approximately 16,000 other semifinalist from around the country in the national competition, which aims to promote respect for learning; highlight exceptional students; and stimulate support from organizations to sponsor scholarships. 

Ultimately about 8,300 students will be awarded scholarships. 

“I congratulate each of the 47 students for their outstanding academic accomplishments,” Superintendent Renee A. Foose said at the Oct. 2 Board of Education meeting. “These students represent every one of our high schools. This is what college readiness is all about.”

Students entered the competition by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. About one third of the 50,000 applicants go on to become semifinalists, according to the National Merit Corporation’s website.

For more information, visit the National Merit Scholorship Corporation's website.

The winners: