Here are the profiles of the National Merit Scholarship semifinalists from Lawrence. Attempts to reach home-school student Rebekah Curry were unsuccessful.

Jeff Miller

Bishop Seabury Academy

Activities: Student government, golf, Bicycle Club

College goals: Become fluent in Spanish and study abroad in Latin America.

Liam Smith

Bishop Seabury Academy

Activities: Drama, forensics, yearbook, newspaper, weight lifting

College goals: I want to learn about the things I'm passionate about and prepare myself for a rewarding career. I'm also in it for the social experience. I want to make great lifelong friends. I expect college to be some of the best years of my life.

Molly Albrecht

Free State High School

Activities: Lawrence Aquahawk Swimming, Free State swim team, marching/concert band, Link Crew, piano

College goals: Undecided

Lydia Belcher

Free State High School

Activities: Marching band, symphonic band, jazz band, National Honor Society, French club

College goals: Elementary education at Wheaton College

Katie Burk

Free State High School

Activities: Chamber choir, chamber singers, cross country, track and field, German club

College goals: Music education, secondary education or business at St. Olaf College or Kansas University

Ruth Byers

Free State High School

Activities: Scholars' Bowl, math team, environmental club, Science Olympiad

College goals: Cognitive science and/or computer science

Chris Carter

Free State High School

Activities: Marching band, symphonic band, chamber choir, Link Crew, Happy Chappy Tea Time Roustabout, wiffle ball club

College goals: Music education at Kansas University

Tim Clark

Free State High School

Activities: Marching band, symphonic band, math club, Scholars' Bowl, Science Olympiad

College goals: Math, physics or engineering

Tess Murray

Free State High School

Activities: Chamber choir, drum major of marching band, symphonic band, National Honor Society, math team, Science Olympiad, Scholars' Bowl, Link Crew, Happy Chappy Tea Time Roustabout

College goals: Undecided

Rodi Torres-Gavosto

Free State High School

Activities: Spanish club, Model United Nations, soccer, marching and symphonic band, Link Crew, piano.

College goals: Chemistry and physics

JoAnn Doll

Lawrence High School

Activities: Marching and symphonic band, Youth Volunteer Council, National Honor Society, Key Club

College goals: Major in flute performance and classical studies. I would also like to study abroad.