Columbia High Senior Named Semifinalist in National Scholarship Competition

A Columbia High School student is one of five Richland One students who are semifinalists in the National Achievement Scholarship Program.

Columbia High senior Blake R. Thrower is competing for the scholarship, which recognizes academically promising African-American students throughout the nation and provides scholarships to the most outstanding program participants.

The other Richland One semifinalists are David T. Brice, Rickey Griddine and Devon S. Kilgore from Dreher High, and David Bupe from A.C. Flora High.

In South Carolina, 45 students were selected as semifinalists. 

More than 1,600 African-American students nationwide have the opportunity to continue in the competition for 800 scholarships worth more than $2.4 million. The scholarship will be awarded next spring. 

Finalists are selected on the abilities, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies. About 80 percent of the semifinalists will be named finalists. About half of the finalists will receive scholarships. 

The National Achievement Scholarship Program, conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, is a privately financed academic competition that operates without government assistance. The program started in 1964.

More than 31,100 young men and women have received Achievement Scholarship awards worth more than $98 million to date.