Selma and Selma High School should stand proud. One of our own, Chelsie Martinear has earned a semifinalist position in the National Scholarship Achievement Program.

She is the only Dallas County student to receive such distinction this year.

The program is part of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a privately funded, non-profit organization that began in 1955.

The National Scholarship Achievement Program is one of two annual competitions for recognition and scholarships. It is for black students only. The other is the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Each year the corporation awards about 10,500 scholarships nationwide.

Black students can qualify for recognition, become candidates for awards and be honored as scholars in both competitions, but they can receive only one monetary award.

Martinear is one of 130,000 entrants in the National Scholarship Achievement Program. She is recognized as one of the the highest scorers on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in the state that makes up this region.

Martinear’s teachers and principal say she has a strong work ethic and a desire to learn. She plans to attend a four-year university and major in mechanical engineering.

Her principal will recommend her for a position as finalist. About 1,500 semifinalists go on to be named finalists and about 800 receive scholarship including 700 National Achievement Scholarships worth $2,500.

Congratulations, Chelsie. Your community is proud of you.