Washington, D.C., –U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the 50th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars, recognizing 141 high school seniors for their accomplishments in academics or the arts.
“The extraordinary young men and women being honored for the 50th anniversary of the Presidential Scholars have excelled in their educational, artistic and civic pursuits. They show all of us that when students challenge themselves and commit themselves to excellence, the results can be astounding. These scholars will help move our country forward and will have a lasting impact on their families, communities, and on our society. They represent the potential of all young citizens to lift up America.”
Houston’s Patrick Pan is a talented pianist and violinist, and will study at Harvard University this Fall (file photo).
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, appointed by President Obama, selects honored scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals. Of the three million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 3,900 candidates qualified for the 2014 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams, and through nominations made by Chief State School Officers or the National YoungArts Foundation’s nationwide YoungArts™ competition.
The 2014 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 from U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large and 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts.
Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored more than 6,500 of the nation’s top-performing students with the prestigious award given to honorees during the annual ceremony in D.C. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts
The 2014 ceremony will be held June 22, when each honoree will receive a Presidential Scholar Medallion.
A complete list of 2014 U.S. Presidential Scholars follows and is available at http://www.ed.gov/psp.
AL – Cullman – Leigh M. Braswell, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH. Most influential teacher: Mathew Crawford, Plano, TX.
AL – Madison – Daniel D. Lang, Bob Jones High School, Madison, AL. Most influential teacher: Benjamin Johnston, Athens, AL.
AK – Anchorage – Sawyer Birnbaum, West Anchorage High School, Anchorage, AK. Most influential teacher: Janice Strickland, Anchorage, AK.
AK – Chugiak – Sijo Smith, Chugiak High School, Eagle River, AK. Most influential teacher: Ron Lange, Eagle River, AK.
*AZ – Chandler – Anna W. Han, Arizona Virtual Academy, Phoenix, AZ. Most influential teacher: Fei Xu, Chandler, AZ.
AZ – Scottsdale – Sarah A. Sakha, Xavier College Preparatory, Phoenix, AZ. Most influential teacher: Gabriele Reil, Phoenix, AZ.
AZ – Scottsdale – Rajet Vatsa, Brophy College Preparatory, Phoenix, AZ. Most influential teacher: Cheryl Lenox, Phoenix, AZ.
AR – Little Rock – Abhilasha Gokulan, Central High School, Little Rock, AR. Most influential teacher: George West, Little Rock, AR.
AR – Little Rock – Alexander Zhang, Central High School, Little Rock, AR. Most influential teacher: Jacob Morris, Little Rock, AR.
CA – Folsom – Lukas F. Novak, Folsom High School, Folsom, CA. Most influential teacher: Mark Nelson, Folsom, CA.
*CA – Glendale – Gabriela F. Campo, Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, Los Angeles, CA. Most influential teacher: Stephanie Vlahos, Los Angeles, CA.
*CA – Los Angeles – Angela T. Francis, Bishop Montgomery High School, Torrance, CA. Most influential teacher: Teri Lacy, Los Angeles, CA.
CA – Los Angeles – Stefano Rumi, Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies, Los Angeles, CA. Most influential teacher: Jose Rojas, Los Angeles, CA.
*CA – Pleasanton – Annie Wu, Foothill High School, Pleasanton, CA. Most influential teacher: Isabelle Chapuis, Los Altos, CA.
CA – Saratoga – Maya L. Srinivasan, Saratoga High School, Saratoga, CA. Most influential teacher: Robert Kucer, Saratoga, CA.
CO – Fort Collins – Siyu Wu, Poudre High School, Fort Collins, CO. Most influential teacher: Brad Beauprez, Fort Collins, CO.
CO – Superior – Michael Z. Chen, Fairview High School, Boulder, CO. Most influential teacher: Cammie Wickham, Lafayette, CO.
CT – Ridgefield – Nicholas G. Esemplare, Ridgefield High School, Ridgefield, CT. Most influential teacher: Katherine Gabbay, Ridgefield, CT.
*CT – West Hartford – Thomas A. Doelger, Hall High School, West Hartford, CT. Most influential teacher: Darcie Hudson, West Hartford, CT.
CT – West Hartford – Marisa C. Mitrano, Hall High School, West Hartford, CT. Most influential teacher: Jeff Billing, West Hartford, CT.
DE – Newark – Abhishek D. Rao, Caravel Academy, Bear, DE. Most influential teacher: Carolyn Mack, Bear, DE.
DE – Wilmington – Josephine F. Chu, Tower Hill School, Wilmington, DE. Most influential teacher: Leigh Thompson, Wilmington, DE.
DC – Washington – Connor R. Roth, The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT. Most influential teacher: Paul Herman, Bethesda, MD.
DC – Washington – Natasha S. Turkmani, National Cathedral School, Washington, DC. Most influential teacher: David Sahr, Washington, DC.
FL – Coral Gables – Isabel M. O’Sullivan, Ransom Everglades School, Miami, FL. Most influential teacher: John King, Miami, FL.
*FL – Coral Springs – Connor D. Yockus, The North Broward Preparatory Schools, Coconut Creek, FL. Most influential teacher: Suzanne Citere, Lighthouse Point, FL.
*FL – Lake Worth – Isabella T. Pezzulo, Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, West Palm Beach, FL. Most influential teacher: Jennifer Gifford, West Palm Beach, FL.
*FL – Miami – Paloma Izquierdo, Design & Architecture Senior High School, Miami, FL. Most influential teacher: Tracy Regan, Hollywood, FL.
*FL – Southwest Ranches – Lance I. Oppenheim, Pine Crest School, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Most influential teacher: Barbara Smith, Pompano Beach, FL.
FL – Tampa – Kevin J. Mutchnick, T. R. Robinson High School, Tampa, FL. Most influential teacher: Martha Landron, Tampa, FL.
FL – Tampa – Haoqing Wang, C. Leon King High School, Tampa, FL. Most influential teacher: Barbara Emil, Temple Terrace, FL.
GA – Duluth – Sathvik R. Namburar, Woodward Academy, College Park, GA. Most influential teacher: George Dietz, College Park, GA.
GA – Milton – Meghana R. Nallajerla, Milton High School, Alpharetta, GA. Most influential teacher: Randall Fair, Alpharetta, GA.
HI – Kailua – Matthew R. Beattie-Callahan, Iolani School, Honolulu, HI. Most influential teacher: Jeffrey Hackler, Honolulu, HI.
HI – Kailua-Kona – Lysha M. Matsunobu, Parker School, Kamuela, HI. Most influential teacher: Ruth Sturges, Kamuela, HI.
ID – Boise – Yoon Ji Ra, Boise High School, Boise, ID. Most influential teacher: Ryan Williams, Boise, ID.
ID – Boise – Dominick L. Shirley, Bishop Kelly High School, Boise, ID. Most influential teacher: Lindy Freeman, Boise, ID.
IL – Channahon – John J. Kauffman, Minooka Community High School, Minooka, IL. Most influential teacher: David Barney, Minooka, IL.
IL – Danforth – Halley R. Cummings, Iroquois West High School, Gilman, IL. Most influential teacher: Darl Rassi, Gilman, IL.
IN – Carmel – Daniel Y. Fu, Park Tudor School, Indianapolis, IN. Most influential teacher: Ryan Ritz, Indianapolis, IN.
IN – Fort Wayne – Abby E. Lemert, Carroll High School, Ft Wayne, IN. Most influential teacher: Letisha Clendenen, Ft Wayne, IN.
IA – Dubuque – Jiwei Sun, Hempstead High School, Dubuque, IA. Most influential teacher: Karen Weires, Dubuque, .
IA – Grimes – Sienna E. Schaeffer, Dallas Center Grimes High School, Dallas Center, IA. Most influential teacher: Joshua Mangler, Madrid, IA.
KS – Olathe – Katherine E. Super, Blue Valley Southwest High School, Overland Park, KS. Most influential teacher: Jared Zuckerman, Overland Park, KS.
KS – Overland Park – Ryan H. Dahl, Olathe North High School, Olathe, KS. Most influential teacher: Paul Williams, Olathe, KS.
KY – Lexington – Athena P. Kern, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Lexington, KY. Most influential teacher: Eric Furr, Lexington, KY.
KY – Lexington – Joseph E. Schneider, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Lexington, KY. Most influential teacher: Melanie Timmers, Lexington, KY.
LA – New Orleans – Luke Z. Tang, Benjamin Franklin Senior High School, New Orleans, LA. Most influential teacher: David Ferris, New Orleans, LA.
LA – Slidell – Sarah J. Wang, Benjamin Franklin Senior High School, New Orleans, LA. Most influential teacher: Cathy Hightower, New Orleans, LA.
ME – Waterville – Ursula Hebert Johnson, Waterville High School, Waterville, ME. Most influential teacher: Scott Rivard, Waterville, ME.
ME – West Bath – Kyle A. Hietala, Morse High School, Bath, ME. Most influential teacher: Robert Jordan, West Bath, ME.
MD – Ellicott City – Tianhao Gao, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, MD. Most influential teacher: Brent Ault, Laurel, MD.
MD – North Potomac – Hueyjong Shih, Montgomery Blair High School, Silver Spring, MD. Most influential teacher: Angelique Bosse, Silver Spring, MD.
MA – Acton – Erin Orbey, Buckingham, Browne & Nichols School, Cambridge, MA. Most influential teacher: Althea Cranston, Cambridge, MA.
MA – Canton – Tiffany K. Guan, Milton Academy, Milton, MA. Most influential teacher: Elaine Apthorp, Milton, MA.
MA – Rehoboth – Timothy J. Clancy, Wheeler School, Providence, RI. Most influential teacher: Robert Hohlfeld, Attleboro, MA.
*MI – Ann Arbor – Hanel Baveja, Ann Arbor-Huron High School, Ann Arbor, MI. Most influential teacher: Sean Eldon, Ann Arbor, MI.
MI – Bloomfield Hills – Rohan Sinha, Bloomfield Hills High School, Bloomfield Hills, MI. Most influential teacher: Matthew Macleod, Rochester Hills, MI.
MI – Rochester Hills – Pranita Balusu, Rochester High School, Rochester Hills, MI. Most influential teacher: Chad Zwolinski, Sterling Heights, MI.
MN – Eden Prairie – Amy Q. Tan, Eden Prairie High School, Eden Prairie, MN. Most influential teacher: Craig Hollenbeck, Eden Prairie, MN.
MN – Maple Grove – Zoe H. Tu, Wayzata High School, Plymouth, MN. Most influential teacher: Jodi Grack, Plymouth, MN.
MN – Wayzata – Patrick G. Buehler, Providence Academy, Plymouth, MN. Most influential teacher: Michael Tiffany, Plymouth, MN.
MS – Bay Saint Louis – Desiree J. Carpenter, Mississippi School for Mathematics & Science, Columbus, MS. Most influential teacher: Edward Leggett, Columbus, MS.
MS – Oxford – Yuqi Zhao, Oxford High School, Oxford, MS. Most influential teacher: James Reidy, Oxford, MS.
MO – Columbia – Rujie Yao, Columbia-Rock Bridge Senior High School, Columbia, MO. Most influential teacher: Kathryn Fishman-Weaver, Columbia, MO.
MO – Kansas City – Jonathan D. Chu, The Pembroke Hill School, Kansas City, MO. Most influential teacher: Connie Wells, Shawnee Mission, KS.
MO – Weldon Spring – Eric H. Lee, Francis Howell High School, St Charles, MO. Most influential teacher: Theresa Sheldon, St. Peters, MO.
MT – Billings – Kya C. Sorli, Billings Central Catholic High School, Billings, MT. Most influential teacher: Shane Fairbanks, Billings, MT.
MT – Kalispell – Nicholas C. Spinale, Montana Academy, Marion, MT. Most influential teacher: Philip Jones, Marion, MT.
NE – Lincoln – Akshay S. Rajagopal, Lincoln East High School, Lincoln, NE. Most influential teacher: Leona Penner, Lincoln, NE.
NE – Saint Libory – Hannah C. Niemeier, Heartland Lutheran High School, Grand Island, NE. Most influential teacher: Tim Leech, Grand Island, NE.
NV – Las Vegas – Erika Carrera, Veterans Tribute Career and Technical Academy, Las Vegas, NV. Most influential teacher: Jose Loya, Las Vegas, NV.
NV – Reno – Karthik W. Rohatgi, Davidson Academy of Nevada, Reno, NV. Most influential teacher: Joshua Bahn, Reno, NV.
NH – Amherst – John C. Facey, Souhegan High School, Amherst, NH. Most influential teacher: Lee Gast, Nottingham, NH.
NH – East Kingston – Julie B. Becher, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH. Most influential teacher: Kathleen Curwen, Exeter, NH.
*NH – Plaistow – Anna L. DeLoi, DeLoi Home School, Plaistow, NH. Most influential teacher: Stephanie Curcio, Londonderry, NH.
NJ – Haddonfield – Rachel J. Rood-Ojalvo, Haddonfield Memorial High School, Haddonfield, NJ. Most influential teacher: David Scorsolini, Haddonfield, NJ.
NJ – Marlboro – Gokul P. Mukunda, Colts Neck High School, Colts Neck, NJ. Most influential teacher: Doug Phillips, Colts Neck, NJ.
NJ – Princeton – Celena J. Chen, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South, Princeton Junction, NJ. Most influential teacher: Amanda Duchossois, Philadelphia, PA.
NJ – Princeton – Alexander H. Jin, Princeton High School, Princeton, NJ. Most influential teacher: Gregory Hand, Princeton, NJ.
*NJ – Short Hills – Amanda Prager, Millburn High School, Millburn, NJ. Most influential teacher: Minaz Jooma, New Providence, NJ.
*NJ – West Orange – Coleman C. Hughes, Newark Academy, Livingston, NJ. Most influential teacher: Julius Tolentino, Roselle Park, NJ.
NM – Albuquerque – Eric H. Li, Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, NM. Most influential teacher: Sonia Roth, Albuquerque, NM.
NM – Albuquerque – Amanda D. Valdez, Escalante High School, Tierra Amarilla, NM. Most influential teacher: Maria Ferrell, Tierra Amarilla, NM.
NY – Cold Spring – Claire E. Carroll, Phillips Academy, Andover, MA. Most influential teacher: Christine Marshall-Walker, Andover, MA.
NY – New York – Anna E. Blech, Hunter College High School, New York, NY. Most influential teacher: Meg Sturiano, New York, NY.
NY – Penn Yan – Kennedy E. Jensen, Canandaigua Academy, Canandaigua, NY. Most influential teacher: Adam Stoler, Rochester, NY.
NY – Setauket – Justin M. Shi, Stony Brook School, Stony Brook, NY. Most influential teacher: Stan Winston, Stony Brook, NY.
*NC – Asheville – Liana R. Murray, Asheville High School, Asheville, NC. Most influential teacher: Moira Bradford, Graham, NC.
NC – Cary – Justin Z. Luo, William G. Enloe Gifted & Talented Magnet High School, Raleigh, NC. Most influential teacher: Christopher Lyerly, Raleigh, NC.
NC – Henderson – Whitney L. Johnson, Northern Vance Senior High School, Henderson, NC. Most influential teacher: Susan Westbrook, Oxford, NC.
NC – Raleigh – Harry E. Payne III, William G. Enloe Gifted & Talented Magnet High School, Raleigh, NC. Most influential teacher: Chad Keister, Raleigh, NC.
NC – Salisbury – Victor M. Pereira, East Rowan High School, Salisbury, NC. Most influential teacher: Dean Orbison, Mooresville, NC.
ND – Fargo – Siddharth S. Gupta, Davies High School, Fargo, ND. Most influential teacher: Michelle Bertsch, Fargo, ND.
ND – Fargo – Haleigh T. Larson, Park Christian School, Moorhead, MN. Most influential teacher: Krista Rankin, Fargo, ND.
OH – Bexley – Simon S. Horn, Bexley High School, Columbus, OH. Most influential teacher: Michael Featherstone, Columbus, OH.
OH – Cincinnati – Lindsay J. Myers, Princeton High School, Cincinnati, OH. Most influential teacher: Michelle Ritzie, Cincinnati, OH.
OK – Comanche – Cody T. Crow, Comanche High School, Comanche, OK. Most influential teacher: Harvey Howeth, Comanche, OK.
OK – Edmond – Shelby C. Wilkinson, Crossings Christian School, Oklahoma City, OK. Most influential teacher: Angela Lux, Edmond, OK.
OR – Portland – Andrew L. Trattner, Lincoln High School, Portland, OR. Most influential teacher: Melinda Gale, Portland, OR.
OR – Salem – Gina-Marie Labate, West Salem High School, Salem, OR. Most influential teacher: Scott Whipple, Salem, OR.
PA – Berwyn – Michael P. Mei, Conestoga High School, Berwyn, PA. Most influential teacher: John Kim, Broomall, PA.
*PA – State College – Alicia Lai, State College Area High School, State College, PA. Most influential teacher: Gregory Somers, State College, PA.
PA – Wexford – Surabhi Beriwal, North Allegheny Senior High, Wexford, PA. Most influential teacher: David Morris, Wexford, PA.
PR – Guaynabo – Yaelle S. Shaked, St. John’s School, San Juan, PR. Most influential teacher: Mercedes Higuera, Carolina, PR.
PR – San Juan – Daniel L. Rodriguez, Commonwealth-Parkville School, San Juan, PR. Most influential teacher: Jorge Rodriguez, Bayamon, PR.
RI – East Greenwich – Heather C. Shen, East Greenwich High School, East Greenwich, RI. Most influential teacher: David Rubinstein, East Providence, RI.
RI – Tiverton – Owen P. Leary, Bishop Stang High School, North Dartmouth, MA. Most influential teacher: Kathy Crosson, North Dartmouth, MA.
SC – Spartanburg – Nina C. Srivastava, Spartanburg Day School, Spartanburg, SC. Most influential teacher: Ann Marie Wesneski, Spartanburg, SC.
SC – Summerville – Logan J. Dwyer, Pinewood Preparatory School, Summerville, SC. Most influential teacher: Wendy Girgan, Summerville, SC.
SD – Brookings – Yixuan He, Brookings High School, Brookings, SD. Most influential teacher: Kelly Riedell, Brookings, SD.
SD – Rapid City – Nicholas J. Sieger, St. Thomas More High School, Rapid City, SD. Most influential teacher: Amy Tweed, Rapid City, SD.
TN – Brentwood – Joyce B. Kang, Brentwood High School, Brentwood, TN. Most influential teacher: Ashley Seth, Brentwood, TN.
TN – Collierville – Kevin J. Sun, Collierville High School, Collierville, TN. Most influential teacher: Carla Plunkett, Eads, TN.
*TN – Lookout Mountain – Thomas L. West IV, The McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN. Most influential teacher: Chester LeSourd, Chattanooga, TN.
TN – Memphis – William P. Lamb, Memphis University School, Memphis, TN. Most influential teacher: Steve Gadbois, Memphis, TN.
*TX – Allen – Joseph C. Ewatuya, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts, Dallas, TX. Most influential teacher: Kent Ellingson, Dallas, TX.
TX – Austin – Ray Lu, Westwood High School, Austin, TX. Most influential teacher: Craig Sullivan, Austin, TX.
TX – Dallas – Nicholas A. Kraus, Greenhill School, Dallas, TX. Most influential teacher: Genie Burke, Dallas, TX.
*TX – Houston – Reagan E Lukefahr, North Carolina School of the Arts, Houston, TX. Most influential teacher: Todd Waite, Houston, TX.
TX – Houston – Patrick H. Pan, Clear Lake High School, Houston, TX. Most influential teacher: Alexander Moore, Houston, TX.
*TX – Lancaster – Michael J. Stromile, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts, Dallas, TX. Most influential teacher: Dereque Whiturs, Chicago, IL.
TX – Terrell Hills – Elise J. Miller, Cole Jr-Sr High School, San Antonio, TX. Most influential teacher: Thomas Hardaway, San Antonio, TX.
UT – Salt Lake City – Sarah R. Silcox, West High School, Salt Lake City, UT. Most influential teacher: Melissa Anderson, Salt Lake City, UT.
UT – Salt Lake City – Rajdeep Trilokekar, Skyline High School, Salt Lake City, UT. Most influential teacher: Adella Croft, Salt Lake City, UT.
VT – Burlington – Gailin L. Pease, Burlington High School, Burlington, VT. Most influential teacher: Adam Rengstorf, Hammond, IN.
VT – North Ferrisburgh – Grant M. Davis, Davis Home School, North Ferrisburgh, VT. Most influential teacher: Jasmine Walker, Burlington, VT.
VA – Haymarket – Mun Yong Jang, St. Paul’s School, Concord, NH. Most influential teacher: Catherine Daniels, Concord, NH.
VA – McLean – Julie Kim, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology, Alexandria, VA. Most influential teacher: Ashley Jones, Alexandria, VA.
VA – Norfolk – Anne H. Dorsey, Granby High School, Norfolk, VA. Most influential teacher: Marija Raskovic, Norfolk, VA.
WA – Mukilteo – Farris M. Peale, Phillips Academy, Andover, MA. Most influential teacher: Christopher Gurry, Andover, MA.
WA – Seattle – Nathaniel M. Hopkins, Lakeside School, Seattle, WA. Most influential teacher: Logan Searl, Seattle, WA.
WV – Beckley – David A. Buch, Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley, WV. Most influential teacher: Mary Snow, Beckley, WV.
WV – Odd – Nicole M. Hegele, Shady Spring High School, Shady Spring, WV. Most influential teacher: Brandon Bennett, Shady Spring, WV.
WI – Janesville – Samuel C. Schendel, George Parker High School, Janesville, WI. Most influential teacher: Andrea Behn, Janesville, WI.
*WI – Madison – Eden H. Girma, Middleton High School, Middleton, WI. Most influential teacher: Brad Schneider, Verona, WI.
WI – Muskego – Kelsee C. York, Muskego High School, Muskego, WI. Most influential teacher: Laura Barbieri, Muskego, WI.
WY – Casper – Jacob M. Colman, Natrona County High School, Casper, WY. Most influential teacher: Diane Miller, Casper, WY.
WY – Rock Springs – Kirsi Anselmi-Stith, Rock Springs High School, Rock Springs, WY. Most influential teacher: Gigi Jasper, Rock Springs, WY.
Americans Abroad – Taylor G. Ladd, Antilles School, St. Thomas, VI. Most influential teacher: Christopher Teare, St. Thomas, VI.
Americans Abroad – John M. Sholar, Kwajalein Junior-Senior High School, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. Most influential teacher: Jennifer Newberry, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.