Norman High School

Norman High School

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Norman Public Schools Celebrates 14 National Merit Semifinalists

NPS Communications

September 22, 2026

Norman Public Schools (NPS) is proud to announce that 14 students have been named Semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit® Scholarship Program. This honor places them among the highest-scoring high school seniors in the nation.

National Merit Semifinalists are chosen based on their scores on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). More than 16,000 students nationwide earned Semifinalist status this year, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.

Semifinalists now have the opportunity to advance to the Finalist stage and compete for approximately 6,700 National Merit Scholarships worth about $24 million, which will be awarded in spring 2027.

“These students have demonstrated an exceptional level of academic achievement, and being named a National Merit Semifinalist is a tremendous accomplishment for them and their family,” NPS Superintendent Dr. Nick Migliorino said. “We are proud to recognize their dedication to their education and look forward to seeing what they accomplish as they continue their academic journeys.”

The 14 NPS National Merit Semifinalists are:

  • Anika Dehadrai, Norman High School

  • Madhav Jayachand, Norman High School

  • William Kempf, Norman High School

  • Syed Rayyan Ali, Norman North High School

  • Eden Bales, Norman North High School

  • Alexander Bourne, Norman North High School

  • Meredith Dodge, Norman North High School

  • Jocelyn Emerson, Norman North High School

  • Elijah LeBlanc, Norman North High School

  • Isaac Moradi-Araghi, Norman North High School

  • Lydia Pence, Norman North High School

  • Annika Reed-Vernon, Norman North High School

  • Yihan Zhang, Norman North High School

  • Sophia Zhao, Norman North High School

To advance to Finalist status, Semifinalists must complete a detailed scholarship application that includes their academic record, school and community activities, leadership experience, employment, honors and awards. Students must also receive a school official’s endorsement and recommendation, write an essay and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm their earlier performance.