More than 1,600 black American high school seniors who have been designated semifinalists in the 48th annual National Achievement Scholarship Program were announced yesterday by National Merit Scholarship Corporation officials, and Brandon W. Allen of George C. Marshall High School senior made the list.

These scholastically talented young men and women now have an opportunity to continue in the competition for aproximately 800 Achievement Scholarship awards worth more than $2.4 million to be offered next spring.