Local students in merit semifinals

Four students from the Northwest suburbs are among the 1,600 black American high school seniors who have been designated semifinalists in the 46th annual National Achievement Scholarship Program. Students are: Samantha A. Evans, of John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights; Courtney M. Bernat, of Bartlett High School; Tiara M. Starks, of Bartlett High School and Lloyd Smith, of Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream. The students will continue in the competition for approximately 800 Achievement Scholarship awards, worth some $2.6 million, to be offered next spring.