Bossier Schools announced that two students have been named National Merit Scholar Semifinalists.

Ana Islas-Ruiz of Airline High School and Nathan Causey of Benton High School were among 16,000 semifinalists selected nationwide from the class of 2027.

The students are now in the running for approximately 6,700 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million, which will be awarded this spring.

Bossier Schools said reaching the semifinalist stage places Islas-Ruiz and Causey among high school seniors across the country and is a testament to their persistence and passion for learning.