Four high school seniors have been named semifinalists for the 2000 Presidential Scholars awards, one of the highest honors given to high school seniors in the United States.

The students are among 550 semifinalists in the nation who were selected for their exceptional performance on the Scholastic Assessment Test, leadership qualities, personal character and involvement in community and school activities. Semifinalists in the arts were selected for their performance in the Arts Recognition and Talent Search conducted by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.

The students are among 12 semifinalists from the state of Maryland.

The four semifinalists from Montgomery County Public Schools-all selected from the academic area-and their schools are:

ú Carleton P. Goold, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School

ú Anne E. Lee, Montgomery Blair High School

ú Gretchen J. Raff, Montgomery Blair High School

ú Ashutosh Sahu, Montgomery Blair High School

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of private citizens appointed by the president, will announce the finalists in May. For the academic awards, the commission will choose one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and from U.S. students living abroad, and 15 students at-large. Up to 20 students from the creative and performing arts will be selected for the art awards.

Winners will receive Presidential Scholar medallions at a ceremony during Scholars Week in Washington, D.C., the week of June 28-July 2.