Centerville High School honored 15 seniors at the Board of Education meeting Oct. 27 after the principal described the scale of the National Merit Scholarship Program and introduced the students by name.

"We are here tonight to recognize and honor 15 of our very best seniors for being selected as National Merit Commended Scholars and National Merit Semifinalists," said Jack Dernbaugh, Eastern principal at Centerville High School. He noted that about 13 million juniors nationwide take the PSAT and that about 50,000 students qualify for the program.

Dernbaugh read the list of honorees, naming the commended scholars and the five semifinalists who will advance in the competition later this spring. He said the semifinalists will have the opportunity to continue in the competition for scholarships and that the district celebrated the students and their families at a recognition ceremony Oct. 9.

Board members and district administrators invited families forward for photographs and thanked students, counselors and teachers for supporting the honorees.

The board did not take formal action on the recognition; it was presented as part of the meeting's opening remarks.