The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has recognized 22 seniors from Montgomery County Public Schools as semifinalists for its 2013 National Achievement Scholarship competition.

The competition recognizes “academically promising” black students across the nation by awarding them scholarships. More than 160,000 students requested consideration in the competition, and 1,600 semifinalists were named, according to a school system press release.

Of the students, the most students came from Montgomery Blair High School, where nine semifinalists were recognized.

Last year, 28 Montgomery students were semifinalists and 13 received scholarships.