Licking Heights High School guidance counselor Rahsaan Simmons was not surprised that senior Brennan Barrington is a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist.

"He's super bright," Simmons said. "He's one of those out-of-the box thinkers."

Simmons said Barrington is particularly talented in science classes. He scored a 35 on his ACT test, which included a perfect science score.

Simmons said Barrington's performance on the PSAT, a preparatory test for the SAT, placed him in the running for a National Merit Scholarship. He said Barrington scored an 80 in critical reading and an 87 in math, placing him in the 99th percentile in both categories, and a 71 in writing, placing Barrington in the 98th percentile.

Simmons said Barrington is inquisitive and tutors students preparing for the ACT. He said Barrington has also worked with NASA programs and is taking all post-secondary classes at the Ohio State University.

"He's just involved in a lot in the field of science," Simmons said.

Barrington said he is looking to attend MIT or the California Institute of Technology.

If neither of those works out, he said he will consider attending Yale or Cornell.

"I'd like to do something in physical science: aerospace or nuclear," he said. "I've always been a big space person."

Barrington said he particularly is interested in researching new technology for lighter-than-air aircraft.

"There's all kinds of potential," he said, as fuel prices rise, making heavier aircraft less cost-effective.

Currently, Barrington is enrolled in Calculus II, microeconomics and introduction to Java programming at Ohio State. Outside the classroom, he enjoys soccer, Quiz Bowl and volunteer projects.

The National Merit Scholarship Corp. on Sept. 12 announced the names of approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the 58th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. According to a press release, these high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for approximately 8,300 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million.

To be considered for a National Merit Scholarship , 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 more than half the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

Three types of scholarships will be offered in the spring of 2013.

Every finalist will compete for one of 2,500 $2,500 scholarships. About 1,000 corporate-sponsored scholarship will be provided by approximately 240 corporations and business organizations for finalists who meet their specified criteria, such as children of employees or residents of communities where sponsor plants or offices are located.

In addition, about 200 colleges and universities are expected to finance about 4,800 scholarship awards for finalists who will attend the sponsor institution.

National Merit Scholarship winners for 2013 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April.