Oxford, Mississippi (September 16, 2024) — Oxford School District is thrilled to announce that three Oxford High School seniors have been selected as National Merit Semifinalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program: Ann Hunter Bigham, Elliot Bruce, and Hannah Oommen.
National Merit Semifinalists are selected based on their scores in the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) in their junior year. This outstanding accomplishment is awarded to students who scored in the top 1% on the PSAT/NMSQT®.
Across the nation, nearly 1.3 million students entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. Approximately 16,000 students earned the honor of National Merit Semifinalists. According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, “about 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.”
As National Merit Semifinalists, Bigham, Bruce, and Oommen will have the opportunity to continue in the competition for 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million.
Additionally, Oxford School District is proud to recognize Henry Jones and Pascal Parsons as National Merit Commended Students. National Merit Commended Students are those who scored in the top 3%.
Congratulations to our National Merit Semifinalists and Commended Students! The Oxford School District is so proud of each of them.
About the National Merit Semifinalists
Ann Hunter Bigham
Ann Hunter Bigham has a 4.31 GPA, and she plans to attend the University of Alabama pursuing a degree in biological sciences on the pre-med track. Ann Hunter is a member of the National Honors Society, vice president of the OHS Speech and Debate team, 30+ Club, 3-time member of the Mississippi All-State Honor Choir, and a member of the OHS Envirothon team.
Additionally, Ann Hunter has a deep love for music fostered through the OHS Choir program. She is actively involved in both OHS and community theater. She currently serves as a Junior Board member at the Panola Playhouse in Sardis, Mississippi, where she volunteers much of her time.
Ann Hunter is the daughter of Tommy and Cindy Bigham.
Elliot Bruce
Elliot Bruce has a 4.31 GPA, and his top 3 college choices are Caltech, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He plans to pursue a degree in physics. Elliot is a member of Beta Club, National Honors Society, 30+ Club, and he is an AP Scholar with Distinction.
Elliot holds an Eagle Scout rank in Boy Scouts. He is part of the Order of the Arrow (Boy Scouts Honors Society) and holds a second degree black belt in Taekwondo.
Elliot is the son of John Bruce and Meredith Wulff.
Hannah Oommen
Hannah Oommen has a 4.31 GPA. She plans to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering with a pre-med focus. Her top three college choices are Georgia Institute of Technology, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Mississippi.
Hannah is an AP Scholar with Distinction, a member of the OHS marching band, 30+ Club, and a varsity member of the Oxford Speech and Debate team.
Before living in Oxford, Mississippi, Hannah excelled in Michigan as a two-time runner-up in the Voice of Democracy speech competition. Additionally, she was a member of student council and band council and a recipient of her local Rotary Youth Leadership Award. She consistently achieved top scores in the state band and vocal competitions (both solo and ensemble); she was selected for the Upper Peninsula Honors Band. After moving to Mississippi, she qualified for nationals in the Lincoln-Douglas debate for the National Speech & Debate Association.
Hannah is the daughter of Thomas and Selin Oommen.
About the National Merit Commended Students
Henry Jones
Henry Jones has a 4.4 GPA. Currently, his top three college choices are the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and the University of Michigan. While his major is currently undecided, he is considering a degree in philosophy or English.
Henry is a member of National Honors Society, OHS band, OHS varsity soccer team, 30+ Club, and the OHS R.I.S.E. club. Additionally, he has been recognized through the College Board National Recognition Program.
He is the son of Brad and Deb Jones.
Pascal Parsons
Pascal Parsons has a 4.1 GPA. His top three college choices are University of Texas at Austin, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the University of Florida. He plans to pursue a degree in environmental science.
He is part of the National Honors Society, 30+ Club, OHS tennis, OHS R.I.S.E. club, Art Club, GoGreen club, and Student Council. He is the OHS cross country team captain. He qualified for the Top 14 Jesse Owens cross country meet. Additionally, he is an AP Scholar with Honor.
He is the son of Dustin Parsons and Aimee Nezhukumatathil.
