Thirty-one South Carolina high school seniors are in the ranks of National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners announced by officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation in Evanston, IL.

The Palmetto State students are among some 2,500 scholarship recipients chosen from a talent pool of approximately 15,000 finalists in the 2008 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Finalists in each state are judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies. They were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors. Scholarship winners may use their single- payment awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university.

The $2,500 scholarships go to finalists who were evaluated on their academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from two standardized tests; contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay describing interests and goals; and a recommendation written by their high school official. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state's percentage of the nation's high school graduating seniors.

The South Carolina winners include 19 students from public high schools, 11 from private schools and one home-schooled student.

Local students awarded scholarships included Brian E. Bowers and William D. Flake of Summerville High School.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance and was founded in 1955 specifically to conduct an annual scholarship program. The majority of scholarships offered each year are underwritten by 500 independent corporate and college sponsors.