Two Hartselle High School seniors are a step closer to becoming a National Merit Scholar after they were recently named finalists.

Hartselle City Schools announced Thursday that Molly Buffington and Robin Tumlinson were named National Merit finalists.

Both girls had taken the PSAT, which tests critical reading, writing and math skills, previously in 10th grade. Tumlinson was chosen by counselors to attend special study sessions to raise her score to National Merit Scholar standards a few weeks before she retook the test in 11th grade.

Buffington is considering attending The University of Alabama after graduation. She moved to Hartselle this past June from Burbank, Calif. She is the daughter of Karla and Scott Buffington.

Tumlinson has been looking into both the University of Alabama-Birmingham and Auburn University. She is the daughter of Jim and Cindy Tumlinson.