141 Students from Across the Country Named 2013 U.S. Presidential Scholars
141 Students from Across the Country Named 2013 U.S. Presidential Scholars
Simone Olson, Program Office, (202) 401-0961, press@ed.gov
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced the 49th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars, recognizing 141 high school seniors for their accomplishments in academics or the arts.
"Presidential Scholars demonstrate the accomplishments that can be made when students challenge themselves, set the highest standards, and commit themselves to excellence," Duncan said. "I'm honored to celebrate their creativity, hard work, and community service, and I encourage themand all studentsto continue to showcase the capacity for greatness in our nation's young people."
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 3,300 candidates qualified for the 2013 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 2013 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 6,000 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 2013 ceremony will be held June 16, when each honoree will receive a Presidential Scholar Medallion.
A complete list of 2013 U.S. Presidential Scholars follows and is also available here.
- ALMadisonDavid M. Hergenroeder, Bob Jones High School, Madison, AL. Most influential teacher: Teresa Tarter, Madison, AL.
- ALMadisonMartin A. Wang, Bob Jones High School, Madison, AL. Most influential teacher: Greg Duvall, Madison, AL.
- ALOwens Cross RoadsHema V. Pingali, Randolph School, Huntsville, AL. Most influential teacher: Ruth McMichens, Huntsville, AL.
- AKKenaiAnnaleah Ernst, Nikiski Junior-Senior High School, Nikiski, AK. Most influential teacher: Laura Niemczyk, Nikiski, AK.
- AKUnalaskaAidan H. Bobbitt, Unalaska High School, Unalaska, AK. Most influential teacher: John Conwell, Unalaska, AK.
- * AZGilbertJangwoo Eom, Highland High School, Gilbert, AZ. Most influential teacher: Thomas Landschoot, Tempe, AZ.
- AZSahuaritaErica L. Schwarz, Sahuarita High School, Sahuarita, AZ. Most influential teacher: Lori Punske, Sahuarita, AZ.
- AZScottsdaleVictor Y. Wang, BASIS Scottsdale Charter, Scottsdale, AZ. Most influential teacher: John Nishan, Scottsdale, AZ.
- ARMaumelleKylie L. McClanahan, Central Arkansas Christian School, North Little Rock, AR. Most influential teacher: Melissa Leverett, North Little Rock, AR.
- ARPrairie GroveFred W. Pohlman, Prairie Grove High School, Prairie Grove, AR. Most influential teacher: Dickie Thomasson, North Little Rock, AR.
- * CABerkeleyElena A. Pinderhughes, Berkeley High School, Berkeley, CA. Most influential teacher: Daisy Newman, El Cerrito, CA.
- * CABeverly HillsJeremy D. Corren, Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, Los Angeles, CA. Most influential teacher: Barry Pohlmann, Los Angeles, CA.
- * CAEl MonteAndrea O. Rodriguez, Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, Los Angeles, CA. Most influential teacher: Julie Friedrich, Beverly Hills, CA.
- CAGoletaDaniel D. Richman, Dos Pueblos High School, Goleta, CA. Most influential teacher: Jeffrey Souther, Goleta, CA.
- CAGranite BayMatthew B. Staley, Staley Home School, Granite Bay, CA. Most influential teacher: Natalie Staley, Granite Bay, CA.
- CAIrvineAlexander Jow, University High School, Irvine, CA. Most influential teacher: David Knight, Irvine, CA.
- * CALos AngelesMason A. Park, Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts, Los Angeles, CA. Most influential teacher: William Goldyn, Los Angeles, CA.
- CALos AngelesLillian T. Peng, University High School, Los Angeles, CA. Most influential teacher: Deborah Robbins, Los Angeles, CA.
- * CAManhattan BeachDaisy K. Jacobson, Chadwick School, Palos Verdes Pen, CA. Most influential teacher: Diane Lauridsen, Torrance, CA.
- * CAPalo AltoHilda Huang, Palo Alto Senior High School, Palo Alto, CA. Most influential teacher: John McCarthy, San Francisco, CA.
- * CAValley VillageCameron J. Covell, Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, Los Angeles, CA. Most influential teacher: Karen Bennett, Sherman Oaks, CA.
- * CAWest CovinaAnalisa Gutierrez, Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, Los Angeles, CA. Most influential teacher: Lois Hunter, Los Angeles, CA.
- COCentennialJohn L. Brock, Arapahoe High School, Littleton, CO. Most influential teacher: Brian Hatak, Littleton, CO.
- COHighlands RanchAmy Chen, Highlands Ranch High School, Highlands Ranch, CO. Most influential teacher: Jerry Goings, Castle Rock, CO.
- CTCheshireAneri C. Pattani, Cheshire High School, Cheshire, CT. Most influential teacher: Sue Coco, Southington, CT.
- CTFarmingtonTyler L. Hoffman, Farmington High School, Farmington, CT. Most influential teacher: Farrel Vogelhut, West Hartford, CT.
- DENewarkJohn Daniel Coburn, Sanford School, Hockessin, DE. Most influential teacher: Lloyd Johns, Elkton, MD.
- DENewarkCassie M. Lukasiewicz, Charter School of Wilmington, Wilmington, DE. Most influential teacher: Mark Thompson, Wilmington, DE.
- DCWashingtonIsabel A. Di Rosa, Woodrow Wilson Senior High School, Washington, DC. Most influential teacher: Tennille Bowser, Silver Spring, MD.
- DCWashingtonCameron Thariani, St. Alban's School, Washington, DC. Most influential teacher: Sherry Rusher, Washington, DC.
- FLCoral SpringsRonald D. Laracuente, Coral Glades High School, Coral Springs, FL. Most influential teacher: Lisa Plass, Plantation, FL.
- FLDavieDakota J. Connell-Ledwon, Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy High School, Fort Lauderdale, FL. Most influential teacher: Michael Ruggie, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
- * FLMiamiMateo Nava, Design & Architecture Senior High School, Miami, FL. Most influential teacher: Hans Evers, Miami Beach, FL.
- * FLMiami BeachKatiuscia Z. Gregoire, Design & Architecture Senior High School, Miami, FL. Most influential teacher: Rosemary Pringle, Miami, FL.
- GAMariettaGeorge Q. Fei, George Walton High School, Marietta, GA. Most influential teacher: Diane Smyser, Marietta, GA.
- GAMariettaHali L. Mo, George Walton High School, Marietta, GA. Most influential teacher: Carlos Barrera, Marietta, GA.
- HIKailua-KonaZoe C. Sims, Hawaii Preparatory Academy, Kamuela, HI. Most influential teacher: Mollie Hustace, Kamuela, HI.
- HIKamuelaPaul N. Gregg, Parker School, Kamuela, HI. Most influential teacher: Kiyoshi Najita, Kamuela, HI.
- IDBoiseJoseph R. Bell, Riverstone International School, Boise, ID. Most influential teacher: Brad Nelson, Boise, ID.
- IDBoiseJosephine E. Minick, Centennial High School, Boise, ID. Most influential teacher: Cindy Wilson, Boise, ID.
- ILOak ParkScott G. Daniel, Oak Park & River Forest High School, Oak Park, IL. Most influential teacher: Jessica Young, Oak Park, IL.
- ILVernon HillsVivian Y. Wang, Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Lincolnshire, IL. Most influential teacher: Melissa Mack, Lincolnshire, IL.
- ILWheatonAdam G. Erickson, Wheaton-Warrenville South High School, Wheaton, IL. Most influential teacher: Philip Culcasi, Downers Grove, IL.
- INGrangerErika L. Kirgios, Penn High School, Mishawaka, IN. Most influential teacher: Cheryn Drake, Granger, IN.
- INZionsvilleJames Y. Wang, University High School, Carmel, IN. Most influential teacher: Derek Thomas, Indianapolis, IN.
- IAAmesAlex Y. Huang, Ames High School, Ames, IA. Most influential teacher: Jean Krusi, Ames, IA.
- IAIowa CityAsya M. Bergal, West High School, Iowa City, IA. Most influential teacher: James Kirpes, Iowa City, IA.
- KSLeawoodGavriel A. Schreiber, Blue Valley North High School, Overland Park, KS. Most influential teacher: Michele Buche, Kansas City, KS.
- KSLenexaCassie Wang, Olathe Northwest High School, Olathe, KS. Most influential teacher: Angie Hedges, Olathe, KS.
- KSOverland ParkZijing Song, Blue Valley Northwest High School, Overland Park, KS. Most influential teacher: Sherry Unruh, Overland Park, KS.
- KYLexingtonLeia N. Wedlund, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Lexington, KY. Most influential teacher: Heidi Anderson, Lexington, KY.
- KYNicholasvilleKareem H. Omar, West Jessamine High School, Nicholasville, KY. Most influential teacher: Wayne Stevens, Nicholasville, KY.
- LAMetairieAidaana U. Amanbekova, Mount Carmel Academy, New Orleans, LA. Most influential teacher: Stephanie Cramer, New Orleans, LA.
- LANew OrleansWilliam J. McGrew, Benjamin Franklin Senior High School, New Orleans, LA. Most influential teacher: Beatrice Flair, New Orleans, LA.
- MEWindhamTaylor R. Church, Catherine McAuley High School, Portland, ME. Most influential teacher: Ruth Conlogue, Portland, ME.
- MEWindhamJameson R. McBride, Windham High School, Windham, ME. Most influential teacher: Richard Nickerson, Windham, ME.
- MDBethesdaBayard R. Miller, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, Bethesda, MD. Most influential teacher: Timothy Gilmore, Arlington, VA.
- MDPotomacMarni L. Morse, Richard Montgomery High School, Rockville, MD. Most influential teacher: Nancy Shay, Rockville, MD.
- MABoxboroughNivedha Ram, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, Acton, MA. Most influential teacher: Brian Dempsey, Acton, MA.
- MAShrewsburyAnish Athalye, Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science, Worcester, MA. Most influential teacher: Gilles Legault, Worcester, MA.
- MAWestonColin P. Lualdi, Learning Center for Deaf Children, Framingham, MA. Most influential teacher: Dynnelle Fields, Framingham, MA.
- MIAnn ArborValerie Peng, Ann Arbor-Huron High School, Ann Arbor, MI. Most influential teacher: Sarah Roldan, Ann Arbor, MI.
- MIAnn ArborDaniel H. Rothchild, Pioneer High School, Ann Arbor, MI. Most influential teacher: James Vess, Ann Arbor, MI.
- MIMancelonaNicole M. Tubacki, Traverse City Central High School, Traverse City, MI. Most influential teacher: Thomas Czarny, Traverse City, MI.
- MNRochesterAlexander B. Cheng, John Marshall High School, Rochester, MN. Most influential teacher: Jennifer Ancell, Morgantown, WV.
- MNRochesterJennifer E. Kim, Century High School, Rochester, MN. Most influential teacher: Phillip Olson, Rochester, MN.
- MSOxfordDora Chen, Oxford High School, Oxford, MS. Most influential teacher: James Reidy, Oxford, MS.
- MSRidgelandVineet Aggarwal, St. Andrew's Episcopal School, Ridgeland, MS. Most influential teacher: Sandra Hindsman, Jackson, MS.
- MONixaCorey M. Matzat, Branson High School, Branson, MO. Most influential teacher: Lea Trimble, Hollister, MO.
- MOSt. LouisTiffany Lee, Lindbergh High School, St Louis, MO. Most influential teacher: Sarah Rausch, St Louis, MO.
- MTLewistownJarrett M. Guyer, Fergus High School, Lewistown, MT. Most influential teacher: Justin Guyer, Lewistown, MT.
- MTMissoulaMary K. Brooks, Frenchtown High School, Frenchtown, MT. Most influential teacher: Merle Johnston, Missoula, MT.
- NEOmahaBenjamin K. Ashby, Westside High School, Omaha, NE. Most influential teacher: Roger Groth, Omaha, NE.
- NEPapillionMegan N. Yank, Papillion-LaVista High School South, Papillion, NE. Most influential teacher: Troy Ackerman, Plattsmouth, NE.
- NVHendersonCaolinn Y. Mejza, Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing & Visual Arts, Las Vegas, NV. Most influential teacher: Shae Dokken, Las Vegas, NV.
- NVLas VegasSharon T. Fang, Clark High School, Las Vegas, NV. Most influential teacher: Jie Bu, Las Vegas, NV.
- NVLas VegasJustin M. Joseph, Valley High School, Las Vegas, NV. Most influential teacher: Casey Brown, Las Vegas, NV.
- NHExeterAlbert Chu, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH. Most influential teacher: Todd Hearon, Exeter, NH.
- NHHanoverKatherine Y. Chen, Hanover High School, Hanover, NH. Most influential teacher: Greta Mills, Enfield, NH.
- NJDemarestRachel I. Ha, Horace Mann School, Riverdale, NY. Most influential teacher: Harry Bauld, Riverdale, NY.
- NJMorristownThomas R. Hartke, Delbarton School, Morristown, NJ. Most influential teacher: Gregory Devine, Morristown, NJ.
- * NJMorristownCatherine Wong, Morristown High School, Morristown, NJ. Most influential teacher: Anthony Danese, Morristown, NJ.
- NMAlbuquerqueRobert S. Chen, Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, NM. Most influential teacher: George Ovitt, Albuquerque, NM.
- NMAlbuquerqueLauren Li, La Cueva High School, Albuquerque, NM. Most influential teacher: Frances Gruette, Albuquerque, NM.
- NYAlbanyJune E. Criscione, Albany High School, Albany, NY. Most influential teacher: Margot Plumadore, Albany, NY.
- NYBronxMelissa R. DeLuca, Herbert H Lehman High School, Bronx, NY. Most influential teacher: Steve Hiller, Bronx, NY.
- NYChappaquaDaniel I. Hoffman, Hackley School, Tarrytown, NY. Most influential teacher: Danny Lawrence, Tarrytown, NY.
- * NYPittsfordAaron G. Bigeleisen, McQuaid Jesuit High School, Rochester, NY. Most influential teacher: Robert Swensen, Penfield, NY.
- NYRoslynAlain E. Sherman, Roslyn High School, Roslyn Heights, NY. Most influential teacher: Allyson Weseley, Sea Cliff, NY.
- NCChapel HillJacob A. Reed, East Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill, NC. Most influential teacher: Bradley Miller, Chapel Hill, NC.
- NCWilmingtonMegan M. Chang, Isaac Bear Early College High School, Wilmington, NC. Most influential teacher: Suzanne Micallef, Wilmington, NC.
- NDFargoManeesh D. Apte, Davies High School, Fargo, ND. Most influential teacher: Steven Kennedy, Fargo, ND.
- NDFargoAnjali K. Lall, Davies High School, Fargo, ND. Most influential teacher: Kathy Fisher, Fargo, ND.
- OHAthensKevin Hwang, Athens High School, The Plains, OH. Most influential teacher: Suzanne Powell, The Plains, OH.
- OHChagrin FallsAlyssa M. Bryan, Hathaway Brown School, Shaker Heights, OH. Most influential teacher: William Adler, Shaker Heights, OH.
- OHDublinDrake S. Thomas, Dublin Coffman High School, Dublin, OH. Most influential teacher: Daren Ekis, Dublin, OH.
- * OHSylvaniaSean M. Howe, Toledo School for the Arts, Toledo, OH. Most influential teacher: Alison Reny, Toledo, OH.
- OKTulsaSarah A. Keglovits, Holland Hall School, Tulsa, OK. Most influential teacher: Neil Bergenroth, Tulsa, OK.
- OKTulsaStephen R. Slater, Booker T. Washington High School, Tulsa, OK. Most influential teacher: Lindsey Manduano, Tulsa, OK.
- ORPortlandSophia F. Kecskes, Cleveland High School, Portland, OR. Most influential teacher: Keska Kemper, Portland, OR.
- ORPortlandRaghav Tripathi, Westview High School, Portland, OR. Most influential teacher: Bradley Helsel, Portland, OR.
- PABala CynwydSarah C. Jacobson, Friends Central School, Wynnewood, PA. Most influential teacher: Carl Bradley, Philadelphia, PA.
- PAWexfordRichard T. McCoy, North Allegheny Senior High, Wexford, PA. Most influential teacher: Dan Williams, Wexford, PA.
- PRGuaynaboIrene Garcia, Baldwin School of Puerto Rico, Bayamon, PR. Most influential teacher: Cristina Castillo, Guaynabo, PR.
- PRGuaynaboGabriel A. Peirats, Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola, Rio Piedras, PR. Most influential teacher: Maria Roca, San Juan, PR.
- RIProvidenceMax A. Saccone, Wheeler School, Providence, RI. Most influential teacher: Christopher Perkins, Seekonk, MA.
- RIWest KingstonJessica P. Magro, Moses Brown School, Providence, RI. Most influential teacher: Karen Lustig, Providence, RI.
- SCColumbiaCourtney S. Noh, Spring Valley High School, Columbia, SC. Most influential teacher: Matthew Owens, Columbia, SC.
- * SCGreerSarah K. Adams, Eastside High School, Taylors, SC. Most influential teacher: Karen Parks, New York, NY.
- SCLexingtonCarsten A. Bryant, Lexington High School, Lexington, SC. Most influential teacher: Steven Eisele, Lexington, SC.
- * SCLugoffLaura C. Rashley, South Carolina Governor's School for Arts & Humanities, Greenville, SC. Most influential teacher: Mamie Morgan, Greenville, SC.
- SDMadisonAmy Shan, Madison High School, Madison, SD. Most influential teacher: William Thurow, Ramona, SD.
- SDPierreTessa H. Myren, Theodore F. Riggs High School, Pierre, SD. Most influential teacher: Beata Ferris, Pierre, SD.
- SDSioux FallsMicah C. Shaffer, Washington High School, Sioux Falls, SD. Most influential teacher: Jeffrey Berndt, Sioux Falls, SD.
- TNColliervilleApoorva Dixit, White Station High School, Memphis, TN. Most influential teacher: Eugene Bernstein, Memphis, TN.
- TNFranklinKatelyn E. McEvoy, Ensworth High School, Nashville, TN. Most influential teacher: David Lovell, Ashland City, TN.
- TNMemphisDaniel T. Zuo, White Station High School, Memphis, TN. Most influential teacher: Rebecca Newman, Memphis, TN.
- * TxAmarilloAnnyston H. Pennington, Amarillo High School, Amarillo, TX. Most influential teacher: Janita Hopkins, Amarillo, TX.
- TxAustinKeyur M. Mehta, Westlake High School, Austin, TX. Most influential teacher: Melissa Dupre, Austin, TX.
- TxPlanoKimberley Yu, Plano West Senior High School, Plano, TX. Most influential teacher: Deanna Shea, Plano, TX.
- TxShavano ParkAnthony N. Kayruz, Saint Mary's Hall, San Antonio, TX. Most influential teacher: Paul Gage, San Antonio, TX.
- UTAmerican ForkHailey L. James, American Fork High School, American Fork, UT. Most influential teacher: Melody Apezteguia, American Fork, UT.
- UTLoganJean-Luc C. Watson, Logan High School, Logan, UT. Most influential teacher: DeAnna Stallings, Logan, UT.
- VTEssex JunctionTimothy F. Rizvanov, Essex High School, Essex Junction, VT. Most influential teacher: Adam Weiss, Essex Junction, VT.
- VTMontpelierJulia H. Gilbert, Montpelier High School, Montpelier, VT. Most influential teacher: Lyman Castle, Montpelier, VT.
- VAArlingtonDouglas T. Maggs, St Stephens & St Agnes School, Alexandria, VA. Most influential teacher: Vonnique Van Way, Alexandria, VA.
- VAFairfaxLauren A. Huang, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology, Alexandria, VA. Most influential teacher: Barbara Wood, Alexandria, VA.
- * VAVirginia BeachAnnika B. Jenkins, Laurel Springs School, Ojai, CA. Most influential teacher: Shirley Givens, New York, NY.
- * WABellevueBenjamin V. Kadie, Interlake High School, Bellevue, WA. Most influential teacher: Alison Pendlebury, Redmond, WA.
- WACheneySophia G. Schwalbe, Cheney High School, Cheney, WA. Most influential teacher: Jeff Butler, Cheney, WA.
- WARentonJonathan D. Fortescue, Oliver M. Hazen High School, Renton, WA. Most influential teacher: Paul Muckerheide, Renton, WA.
- WVMorgantownBrett G. Atkinson, University High School, Morgantown, WV. Most influential teacher: Michael Roh, Morgantown, WV.
- WVMorgantownMichelle Ma, Morgantown High School, Morgantown, WV. Most influential teacher: Bill Gibson, Morgantown, WV.
- WIFitchburgAmy H. Hua, West High School, Madison, WI. Most influential teacher: Andrew Kuemmel, Madison, WI.
- WIHudsonKatelyn M. Baier, Hudson Senior High School, Hudson, WI. Most influential teacher: Rick DuBois, Hudson, WI.
- * WIMilwaukeeRedat Davison, Pius XI High School, Milwaukee, WI. Most influential teacher: Catherine Burnett, Colgate, WI.
- WIWausauBrady G. Becker, Wausau East High School, Wausau, WI. Most influential teacher: Jody Krieg-Hansen, Wausau, WI.
- WYPowellTimothy Poppert, Powell High School, Powell, WY. Most influential teacher: Robert Hunt, Powell, WY.
- WYTeton VillageMelissa I. Slaughter, Journeys School of Teton Science School, Jackson, WY. Most influential teacher: Nate McClennen, Jackson, WY.
- Americans AbroadSofia C. Geck, International School Of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya. Most influential teacher: Rebecca Nichols, Nairobi, Kenya.
- Americans AbroadBryce C. Kaw-uh, Incirlik High School, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Most influential teacher: BethAnn Matar, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.
* Indicates Presidential Scholar in the Arts.