Candidates from Mississippi to be considered for the 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars program were announced last week, and Oxford had five students make the list.

Mississippi’s Department of Education announced the nearly 115 students who were chosen to be considered in the state for the opportunity to be one of the 161st Presidential Scholars. The scholars represent excellence and the promise of great people.

Four of the five students selected who attend Oxford High School are John-Russell C. Crawley, Edward Hu, Bach X. Nguyen and Sophia A. Quinn. The fifth student from Oxford selected is Niamk E C. Buchanan, who attends the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science.

“We are very proud of our 113 student candidates for the 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars program and encourage them to complete the next phase of the process by returning all application materials they received from the U.S. Department of Education,” said Mississippi superintendent of education Dr. Carey Wright in a statement. “This is a great honor and showcases the tremendous talents of our graduating seniors in Mississippi.”

All students who made it to the candidacy level were mailed the necessary materials and only students selected as candidates receive this invitation. The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by Executive Order of the President, to recognize and honor some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.  In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.

A national review committee of qualified individuals experienced in secondary and post-secondary education evaluates candidates on their academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities, and the quality and content of their essays. Semifinalists will be announced in April and the final scholars list will be announced in May. Scholars will be invited to Washington, D.C. for several days in June to receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion at a recognition ceremony and to participate in events and activities.