Three local high school seniors have been named National Merit Scholarship winners.

Willie H. Brown Jr. of Vicksburg High School, Russell Chisolm of Warren Central High School and Colin Reid of St. Aloysius High School are three of 8,200 students nationwide selected this year for the scholarship.

The National Merit Scholarship program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. Each year, about 1.3 million high school seniors take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test nationally. Then, 16,000 students with the highest scores are named semifinalists. After the test scores and applications are reviewed, 8,200 seniors receive the scholarships.

The National Merit Corp., which selects winners and administers the program, said the scholarships can amount to about $50 million in undergraduate study funds. The recipients are also more likely to receive additional scholarships from colleges and universities, the corporation says.

Willie is the son of Willie H. Sr. and Cynthia Brown. He is a student council representative, a member of Key Club, the varsity tennis team and the marching, symphonic, jazz and pep bands. He also is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, the National Society of High School Scholars and the U.S. Achievement Academy. Willie is a Coca-Cola Scholarship semifinalist and was voted Most Likely to Succeed by Vicksburg High’s 225-student senior class.

He received the National Honor Student Award and was named a Ventures Scholar.

Willie attended the National Youth Leadership forum on Medicine in New Orleans and the Mississippi Lions Club Boys Youth Leadership Conference.

&#8220I’m glad that I’m a finalist because it opens more doors for me,” he said. &#8220It gives me more opportunities. It also looks good on scholarship applications.”

Willie plans to attend Mississippi State University, where he will major in biology premed before heading to medical school.

Russell is the son of Ed and Janet Chisolm.

He is a member of the Robotics Team, the Quiz Bowl Team, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and Big Blue Band. He is an honor roll student and was listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Scholars.

For four years, Russell has been a member of the Mississippi Lions All-State Band, with which he has traveled to Hong Kong, Niagara Falls and Denver. He plans to travel with the band, which has won the International Championship, to Boston this summer.

Russell said he is honored by the scholarship.

&#8220So many students apply, but only a few are picked for it overall,” he said. &#8220It’s a huge honor.”

He has not chosen a college, but plans to study biology.

Colin is the son of Bruce and Lisa Reid.

He is president of the National Honor Society and Leo Club. He is a member of Mu Alpha Theta and was named an All-American Scholar. He is also a member of the St. Al Retreat Team, Key Club, Quiz Bowl Team and a former member of the varsity basketball and baseball teams.

Colin has received the Humanities Award from University of Rochester and the St. Michael Book Award for Scholarship and Service.

He attended Mississippi Governor’s School and the Hugh O’Brien Leadership Conference as a delegate and junior counselor.

Colin has not chosen a college, but he plans to major in liberal arts.

&#8220I continue to be amazed by other people’s emphasis on this award.” Colin said. &#8220I’m looking at a lot of colleges with hefty price tags. I’m really honored to get an award like that. I’m hoping that will open doors for me to do some of the things that I otherwise would not be able to do.” he said.