Five Putnam County high school seniors have been named Finalists in the 67th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program for the 2021-22 school year.

As finalists, Yimin Cai, Connor Stonestreet, Allison Edwards, Matthew Olivero and Carter Leadmon will join approximately 15,000 other finalists who have advanced from semifinalist status. All five of Putnam’s finalists are Hurricane High seniors.

National Merit Finalists represent less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors. Finalists will compete to earn three different types of scholarships worth nearly $30 million. Scholarships will be awarded this spring and include 2,500 National Merit Scholarships awarded on a state representational basis worth $2,500, 1,000 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship, and 4,000 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship.