Jay and Marcy Higley of Springfield, Ohio, announce the engagement of their daughter, Tianna Lynn Higley, to Thomas Sullivan Merrill, son of Rick and Shelley Merrill of Athens.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of John and Clara Higley of Longview, Texas, and Dewayne and Pat Wright, of Entiat, Wash., and Diana Martinez of Spokane, Wash. She is a 2011 graduate of North Alabama Friends School, and is currently attending Southern Virginia University where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Samuel A. Mitchell, Jr. of Athens, and Richard and Velma Merrill of St. George, Utah, and the late Valeria M. Mitchell. He is a 2006 graduate of Athens High School and is currently attending Southern Virginia University where he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

The wedding is planned for May 12 and will be solemnized in the Birmingham Alabama Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.