Congratulations and good luck to a few northern Wake high school seniors who have been named 2006 National Merit Scholar Semifinalists: Jennifer Dawson, Nicole Pinter and Ren Wilson of Leesville Road High School, and John McKenney of Wakefield High School.

In order to be named a semifinalist, a student must have an outstanding academic record, have a recommendation from the principal and earn good SAT scores, according to Wake County Public Schools. Students who apply must write an essay about themselves and their leadership abilities in school and in their community.

Students have a chance to become finalists and compete for a $2,500 scholarship that will be awarded to students in each state, with the number in each state based on the state's population, according to www.nationalmerit.org.

The National Merit Scholarship Program began recognizing students in 1955.

Aldert Root Leadership Magnet Elementary School, at 3202 Northampton Road, will host a family picnic from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday.

Root will also host an informational session for parents starting at 9:15 a.m. Thursday. Call 881-4940 for more information.

The Durham Highway Fire Department is hosting its annual Wake County Public Safety Day at 9 a.m. Saturday at Leesville Road High School at 8409 Leesville Road. The event will focus on showing the community that public safety is a team effort, said David Dillion, a fire safety educator who is working with the program.

There will be live demonstrations from the local fire and police departments.

Call 676-4187 for more information.

Wake Forest-Rolesville High School, at 420 W. Stadium Drive, will hold an open house at 6:30 p.m. Monday.

Call 554-8611 for more information.

Also, freshmen at the high school will be learning lessons beyond math and biology next week with the school's annual Making High School Count, a program geared toward helping freshmen be successful.

The program will be held at 8:15 a.m. Sept. 29 and Sept. 30

Bernard Scott, a ninth-grade counselor at the high school, said skits will be performed to show students the importance of doing well academically their freshman year, and also the importance of participating in clubs and sports.

There will also be a mock interview session where fellow students will evaluate freshmen based on their interview skills and resume.

Scott said workbooks providing tips on study skills and other information will be given to students.