Yesterday, Harker seniors Annmaria Antony, Rupert Chen, Nina Franz, Jack Hsieh, Jeremy Ko, Nicholas Wei, Vincent Zhang, Sabrina Zhu and Sally Zhu were named candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Each year, this program recognizes students for achievements in academics, the arts, and career and technical education. Candidates apply by submitting essays, school transcripts and self-assessments. Approximately 5,000 candidates were chosen from nearly 3.6 million students. Up to 161 will be chosen as Presidential Scholars.
Last week, senior Utkarsh Priyam was named one of 625 semifinalists in the 2021 Presidential Scholars competition. These semifinalists were selected from 6,500 candidates in the competition, who were selected from 3.6 million graduating seniors. Priyam is one of 12 seniors who were selected as candidates in this year’s competition, which each year identifies students who have excelled in academics, the arts, and career and technical education. As part of their application, candidates submit materials including essays, transcripts and self-assessments. The Presidential Scholars program was created by the U.S. Department of Education in 1964 and is recognized as one of the highest honors U.S. high school students can receive.
Yesterday, 12 Harker seniors were selected as candidates for the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars program. Each year the U.S. Department of Education selects Presidential Scholar candidates among students who have demonstrated excellence in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields. Candidates may submit additional materials, including essays, transcripts and self-assessments, to advance in the program. Approximately 500 candidates will be selected as semifinalists in March. In April, 121 students will be named Presidential Scholars.
This year’s candidates are: Andrew Lu, Clair Luo, John Lynch, Arya Maheshwari, Akshay Manglik, Utkarsh Priyam, Aditya Singhvi, Srinath Somasundaram, Nicholas Yi, Alex Zhai, Elaine Zhai and Weixuan Zhang.
On Tuesday, senior Jacqueline He was named a 2018 Presidential Scholar in the Arts, becoming the sixth student from Harker to earn Presidential Scholar recognition in the school’s history. He, who also won a national gold medal in this year’s Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, selected English teacher Nicholas Manjoine to be recognized as a distinguished teacher.
About 5,200 students qualified for the program, based on a variety of achievements, including outstanding scores on College Board SAT and ACT exams, success in the National YoungArts Foundation’s YoungArts competition and nominations. The Commission on Presidential Scholars then selected 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts based on artistic achievement, personal characteristics, and leadership and service activities.
As one of this year’s Presidential Scholars, He is eligible to attend a special ceremony in Washington, D.C. on June 24.