East County youth named national scholarship finalist

Braden River High School’s Ashley Gillam is one of two Manatee County high school students who have been named semifinalists in the 49th annual National Achievement Scholarship Program, according to a release from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

She and Kwesi Kwapong, of Southeast High School, now have a chance to compete for about 800 achievement scholarship awards, worth about $2.5 million, to be offered next spring.

Finalists for the program are expected to be announced in January.