Sep. 19—BATESVILLE — Andy Allen of Batesville High School has announced that Megan Batta has been named a semifinalist in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Batta is among approximately 16,000 semifinalists from across the nation recently named by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. She is the daughter of Nick and Faith Batta.

Batta has the opportunity to continue in the competition to receive National Merit Scholarships worth more than $28 million that will be offered next spring, according to the program.

Semifinalists were narrowed down from 1.3 million junior students across more than 21,000 high schools who entered the scholarship program in 2023.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, the semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level. About 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to do so, with about half of those students earning the Merit Scholar title and a National Merit Scholarship.

National Merit Scholarship winners for 2024 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July. — Information provided