Sept. 14, 16,000 semifinalists in the 62nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program were announced.

These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth about $33 million that will be offered next spring.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition.

About 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and about half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the merit scholar title.

The National Merit semifinalists for Kennebunk High School are Matthew Albaum, Caleb Eickmann and Kyle Ryan, all from the Class of 2017.

Albaum is a member of the jazz band, math team, and track and field team.

He is a captain of the 2017 cross country team. The son of Dr. Tammi Bittler and Dr. Michael Albaum, he is interested in pursuing a career in medicine.

Eickmann participates in Model UN, debate, and the Mock Trial and math teams.

He is also a member of the jazz band, math and tennis teams, as well as the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Society. He is the son of James and Elizabeth Eickmann, and is interested in a career in biochemistry research.

Ryan, the son of Tracy and Joe Ryan of Kennebunkport, is a student representative on the board of school directors and active in Model UN, Mock Trial, and the math team.

He placed first in Maine and 10th in the country in the National Brain Bee Competition last year. He plans to major in neuroscience or bioengineering.