Thirteen students named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists in Central New York

Thirteen area high school seniors have been named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

The designation, based on scores in each state on the PSAT exam, is the first step toward becoming a National Merit Scholarship winner.

About 16,000 students nationwide are chosen as semifinalists, and 90 percent go on to become finalists. About 8,000 will be selected as 2014 scholarship winners.

Fayetteville-Manlius High School led the way with four semifinalists, followed by Hamilton Jr./Sr. High School in Madison County with two. Here’s the list:

Cazenovia
Robert N. Louis

Christian Brothers Academy
Lauren M. DeLorenzo

Fayetteville-Manlius
Jason M. Belanger
Anthony J. Corso
Daniel J. Gorczynski
Kevin P. Weaver

Hamilton
Theodore R. Bausch
Sebastian Pendleton-Witherspoon

Manlius Pebble Hill School
Matthew F. Parker

Marcellus (home-schooled)
Anastasia N. Gottschalk-Fielding

Skaneateles
Colby T. Buell

Union Springs
Lauren R. Morehouse

West Genesee
Michael C. Richards