Two local Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science students are semifinalists for the 2010 National Merit Scholarship contest.

"There's a mix of emotions, mainly excitement," said Bowen Han, who plans to attend Cornell University upon graduation.

Han is the son of Feng Xzang and Chunxia Wu Han, of Starkville.

"(I) can't say this is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me, but it's certainly one of the best," he added.

Before joining the MSMS Class of 2010, Han attended Starkville High School.

"I feel really lucky and honored to have been selected as a National Merit Semifinalist," said Ryan Mackay, son of Reed and Gerry Mackay, of Columbus.

Other MSMS students selected as semifinalists include Lindy Carroll, of Belden, whose parents are Greg and Donna Jarrell; Kalina Deng, of Greenville, whose mother is Susan Deng; Katie Doerner, of Hernando, whose mother is Elizabeth Doerner; Jason Engle, of Hernando, whose mother is Rebecca Engle; Kenneth Fang, of Greenville, whose parents are David and Bing Fang; Lacy Maxwell, of Byhalia, whose mother is Brandy Rainwater; Majaliwa Mzombwe, of Brandon, whose parents are Selemani Maulidi and Jeanne Nizigiye; Kristen Newman, of Ridgeland, whose parents are John and Charlene Newman; Miranda Shugars, of Vicksburg, whose parents are Murray and Sandy Shugars.

Officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a not-for-profit organization operating without government assistance, announced about 16,000 semifinalists in the 55th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

The high school seniors will compete for about 8,200 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $36 million.

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.

In the spring of 2010, three types of National Merit Scholarship awards will be offered. Every finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 scholarships awarded on a state representational basis.

About 1,000 corporate-sponsored scholarships will be provided by about 270 corporation and business organizations and about 200 colleges and universities are expected to finance about 4,700 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for finalists who will attend the sponsor institution.