Dora student region's only semifinalist for program

A Dora high school student is among 16,000 semifinalists in the 59th annual National Merit Scholarship Program, according to the program’s press release.

Katie Bickley of Dora is the region’s only semifinalist for the program and has the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,000 National Merit Scholarships worth about $35 million that will be offered next spring.

According to the press release, about 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing and more than half of the finalists will win a scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.