ATLANTA—At St. Pius X High School, in Atlanta, five students were named semifinalists in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program. They are Carter A. Grabbe, Connor J. Huddleston, Andrew J. Jacon, Joe W. Kilpatrick and Caroline R. Porter.

Semifinalists have the opportunity to continue in competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships that will be awarded next spring and provide significant college scholarship aid. The scholarships are underwritten by the National Merit Scholarship Corp., a nonprofit formed in 1955, businesses and higher educational institutions.

About 1.4 million high school juniors entered the 2015 program by taking the PSAT and qualifying exam. The nationwide pool of semifinalists includes the highest scoring entrants in each state.

St. Pius X High School also had 14 Commended Students. Commended Students are recognized for the exceptional academic promise demonstrated by their outstanding performance on the qualifying test used for program entry. The Commended Students are: Andrew W. Barnhardt, Paul A. Benoit, Joseph B. Cavalli, Catherine V. Corwin, Rebecca A. Entrekin, Stephen W. Jacon, Jack R. Ludwick, John B. Maxson, Robert P. Moots, Tristan A. Otto, Nina E. Patronis, William S. Porter, Kyle B. Ryker and Claire S. Smith.