Westlake High School announced Sept. 16 it has 21 semifinalists for the 2013–14 National Merit Scholarship program. The 59th annual competition awards more than $32 million to 8,300 recipients nationally.

Students must have an outstanding high school academic record, be endorsed and recommended by the school principal and submit SAT scores for consideration for the scholarships.

Finalists will be announced in February.

About 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and more than half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship. Last year, Westlake High School finished with 25 finalists, according to the district.