The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) recently named Azeezat Adeleke, a senior at North Point High School, a semifinalist in the National Achievement Scholarship Program.

Adeleke, who is the student member to the Board of Education, was chosen as a semifinalist out of more than 160,000 students who requested consideration in the 2013 National Achievement Scholarship Program. The program highlights the achievements of African-American students, who request consideration when they take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMQST) as high school juniors. Semifinalists are the highest scoring program entrants in their states.

Semifinalists must also supply the NMSC with information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities and educational goals. In January, 1,300 finalists will be selected to compete for one of 800, $2,500 one-time scholarships. Scholarship awardees are selected on the basis of their abilities, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

The NMSC is a non-profit organization that was established in 1955 to conduct the annual National Merit and National Achievement Programs. Scholarships awarded through the program are underwritten by NMSC's funds and more than 500 business organizations and other educational institutions with the goal of honoring the nation's scholastic students and the pursuit of academic excellence. For more information about the NMSC programs, visit www.nationalmerit.org.

Charles County Public Schools provides 26,800 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 35 caring community schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Patricia Vaira, Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 Coordinator (students), or Keith Hettel, Section 504 Coordinator (employees/adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, Maryland 20646; (301) 932-6610/870-3814. For special accommodations call (301) 934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.