Wheeling Park High School seniors Li Cui, Reuben Bernstein-Goff, Isaac Jones and Robert Guy are semifinalists in the 54th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

These four students are among 16,000 semifinalists chosen across the country. The academic standouts now have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,200 Merit Scholarship awards - worth $34 million - that will be offered in the spring.

Ron DiLorenzo, WPHS dean of students, said a certain number of students are permitted to be chosen as finalists throughout the state each year. The number of students is usually around 200.

In order to be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must advance to the finalist level of the competition by fulfilling several requirements and completing a lengthy application process.

"They put a lot of time and effort in their educational process to achieve this honor," DiLorenzo said. "They prepared themselves well, and we are so thankful they took advantage of what we had to offer. We thank them for making us look good."

The semifinalists' academic achievements include:

• Bernstein-Goff is active in the school's Key club and is a member of the Japanese club. He also participates in Park Players and with the speech team, for which he is a division leader. He is a Stifel Award winner and a member of National Honor Society, Math League, National Forensic League, student council and writing club. He has served as a freshmen mentor and a private tutor. He is the son of Rabbi Ron Bernstein-Goff and professor Sheli Bernstein-Goff.

• Cui, son of Xue L. Cui and Min Wang, has been active in National Honor Society, Leo Club, Park Players and band. He is a three-year member of the radio and television program and has been president of the Radio/TV club and executive producer for the "Patriot Connection" newscast. Cui also has been a member of French club, Mac Users Group, Math League and ski club.

• Guy has been active in Wheeling Park's orchestra, jazz band, steel drum band and concert band. A runner on the cross country and track teams, Guy is an OVAC Scholar Athlete. He also has been a member of the WPHS Math League, JETS, Science Bowl, Key club and Hi-Y. He has served on student council and is the senior class secretary. Guy was selected for Boy's State and the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership program. A WPHS freshmen mentor, Guy has attended the West Virginia Governor's Honors Academy and the West Virginia Governor's School for Math and Science. He is a Stifel Award winner and a member of the WPHS National Honor Society. He is the son of Robert and Cheryl Guy.

• Jones, son of Kelly Jones and Deborah Sinclair, sings with the Young Patriots. He was State Honor Piano Recitalist for Solo and Ensemble in 2008. He also is a member of Park's jazz band. Jones is active with the school's drama productions, Park Players, speech team and Thespians International Society. A Stifel Award winner, Jones is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars.