South Cobb High's Emma I. Edoga has been named a semifinalist in the 48th annual National Achievement Scholarship Program by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Approximately 800 scholarships, worth more than $2.5 million, will be offered next spring.

Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 80 percent of semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and more than half of the finalists will win a scholarship.

The program is a privately financed academic competition that operates without government assistance. It was initiated in 1964 to recognize academically promising black students throughout the nation. To date, more than 31,100 young men and women have received scholarships worth more than $98 million.