Eighteen Indian-American high school students among 2020 Presidential Scholars

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The U.S. Department of Education announced May 21, 2020, the names of high school students chosen as the 56th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars. Of the 161 seniors selected for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields, 18 appear to be Indian-American based on their names. They range from Scholars in career and technical education fields to the arts and sciences, including mathematics.

“It is my privilege to congratulate the Presidential Scholars Class of 2020 on their outstanding academic achievement, community service, and leadership,” Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is quoted saying in the press release. “These exemplary young people have excelled inside the classroom and out. And, while they are facing unprecedented challenges as they graduate from high school into a world that looks much different than it did just a few months ago, their determination, resilience, and commitment to excellence will serve them well as they pursue their next steps.”

Of the 3.6 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,300 candidates qualified for the 2020 awards.

Indian-American U.S. Presidential Scholars Class of 2020 (The list  indicates their name, followed by the city or town, and the high school they graduated from)

* Scholar for U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts

** Scholar for U.S. Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education

Arizona 

Freya Francy Abraham, Maricopa – Maricopa High School

Rithvik Reddy Musuku, Gilbert – BASIS Chandler

Illinois 

Arnav Prashant Lande, Naperville – Waubonsie Valley High School**

Indiana 

Ankush Kundan Dhawan, Newburgh – Signature School

Maryland 

Pranav Tadikonda, Boyds – Richard Montgomery High School*

Michigan 

Ansh Patel, Riverview – Grosse Ile High School

Mississippi 

Vayd Sai Ramkumar, Starkville – Mississippi School for Mathematics & Science

Missouri 

Rahul Suresh Kanna, Chesterfield – Lafayette High School

Nevada 

Emhyr Subramanian, Reno – Davidson Academy of Nevada

Ohio 

Aniv Ray, Worthington – Columbus Academy

Oklahoma 

Sukanya Bhattacharya, Edmond – Heritage Hall Upper School

Pennsylvania 

Neil Deshmukh, Macungie – Moravian Academy

Rhea Malhotra, Allentown – Moravian Academy

Rhode Island 

Ishita Rai, Warwick – St. Mary Academy – Bay View

South Carolina 

Vamsi Gorrepati, Columbia – Spring Valley High School

Texas 

Sohum Makarand Kulkarni, Dallas – Parish Episcopal School

Vermont 

Nisha Shah, So Burlington – South Burlington High School

Wisconsin 

Sanjana Reddy Peddagorla, Brookfield – Brookfield East High

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations, and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.

The 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars were selected for their outstanding performance on the College Board SAT or ACT exams or through nominations made by Chief State School Officers, other partner recognition organizations and the National YoungArts Foundation’s nationwide YoungArts™ competition.

The 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 scholars in the arts and 20 scholars in career and technical education.

Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored more than 7,600 of the nation’s top-performing students. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.

The complete list of 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars is available at http://www.ed.gov/psp