Cole Oftedahl (12) is one of three local students named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.

Oftedahl qualified through a test taken during his junior year.

He is one of about 16,000 students who qualified as a semifinalist. Later this year, that number will be whittled down to 15,000, with 7,500 ultimately receiving a National Merit Scholarship.

According to their website, three types of scholarships are awarded: $2500 National Merit Scholarships, corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships, and college-sponsored Merit Scholarships. Scholarships must be used to attend an accredited undergraduate college or university.

Other local students earning semifinalist status are Teresa Berning from Wahlert Catholic High School and Nathan Oswald from Monticello High School.