More than 100 students from around Chester County were named National Merit Semifinalists and have the chance to become National Merit Scholars, writes Kristen A. Graham for the Philadelphia Inquirer. 

The students were among the highest scorers on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Semifinal Qualifying Test in Pennsylvania and represent under 1 percent of high school seniors nationally. 

Finalists will be named in February. 

A total of 131 students from Chester County are among the semifinalists. 

These include 45 students from Conestoga High School in Berwyn, two students from Devon Preparatory School in Devon, and 11 students from Downingtown High School East in Exton. 

In Downingtown, two students from Downingtown High School West, 23 from Downingtown STEM Academy, one from Bishop Shannahan High School, and one homeschooled also made the list. 

Two students from Kennett High School and 16 from Unionville High School, both in Kennett Square, are among the semifinalists, along with six students from Great Valley High School, two from Malvern Preparatory School, and one from Villa Maria Academy, all in Malvern. 

From West Chester, three students from B. Reed Henderson High School, four from Bayard Rustin High School, three from West Chester East High School, and four from Westtown School are headed to the finale. 

The list is rounded out by two students from Phoenixville Area High School in Phoenixville, one student from Oxford Area High School in Oxford, and two students from Avon Grove High School in West Grove. 

Read more about National Merit Semifinalists in the Philadelphia Inquirer.