GULF SHORES, AL — Gulf Shores High School’s John G. Smith has been named a 2015 National Merit Scholarship Finalist – a prestigious achievement for this high school senior, his family, the school and Baldwin County Public Schools, officials said.

Principal Ernie Rosado said the school was informed Smith had moved on in the prestigious program via mail on Feb. 10.

Smith will now join 7,400 seniors who now have an opportunity to continue in the competition with some 7,400 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million that will be offered this spring.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

“We are extremely proud of John and his family for this accomplishment,” Gulf Shores High School Principal Dr. Ernie Rosado said when Smith was announced a semifinalist in September.

Board member Angie Swiger echoed the congratulations, also after the September honor was announced.

“This is a national achievement for John and Gulf Shores High School,” Swiger said. “It speaks to the quality of education that our teachers and administrators deliver every day. We wish John the very best in his next steps in this competition.”

To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and his or her high school must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.

A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.

Other Baldwin County semifinalists are Dava M. Terry from Daphne and Christopher Drummond from Fairhope. Gulf Coast Media was trying to found out Feb. 10 if they, too, advanced.