Thirty Indian Americans have been named among the 2024 US presidential scholars, a prestigious recognition that honors 161 high school seniors for their exceptional academic achievements, the arts, and career and technical education fields.
“The 161 high school seniors selected for the 60th anniversary of the US presidential scholars represent the best of our nation’s schools and inspire hope in the bright future of this country,” said US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in a statement on May 9.
“On behalf of president Joe Biden, I am delighted to celebrate their accomplishments and encourage these scholars to continue to aim high, lift others, and embrace opportunities to lead,” he added.
The White House Commission on presidential scholars selects recipients annually based on academic success, excellence in the arts and technical education, essays, school evaluations, transcripts, and demonstrated commitment to community service and leadership.
Created in 1964, the US Presidential Scholars Program has honored over 8,200 of the nation’s top-performing students. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students with exceptional talent in the visual, literary, and performing arts.
In 2015, it was further extended to include students excelling in career and technical education fields. The 2024 cohort marks the 60th anniversary of the programme.
This year’s presidential scholars will be celebrated for their achievements this summer through an online recognition programme. The list of scholars is as follows:
- Manav Aggarwal, Huntsville, Alabama (Randolph School)
- Sruti Peddi, Fountain Hills, Arizona (BASIS Scottsdale Charter)
- Ananya Uddanti, Little Rock, Arkansas (Central High School)
- Siddharth R. Nareddy, Westminster, Colorado (Peak to Peak Charter School)
- Amanrai S. Kahlon, Hockessin, Delaware (Sanford School)
- Keya Krishna, Washington, DC (Sidwell Friends School)
- Sharanya Chatterjee, Orlando, Florida (Freedom High School)
- Vineeth Sendilraj, Suwanee, Georgia (Lambert High School)
- Pradyumn M. Bonu, Buffalo Grove, Illinois (Adlai E. Stevenson High School)
- Sai Peddainti, Naperville, Illinois (Waubonsie Valley High School)
- Ayaan Parikh, Wichita, Kansas (Wichita Collegiate School)
- Paranjay Sharma, Leawood, Kansas (The Barstow School)
- Minaal A. Khwaja, Salisbury, Maryland (Wicomico High School)
- Radhika Heda, Lexington, Massachusetts (Lexington High School)
- Anish Jain, Auburn Hills, Michigan (Avondale Senior High School)
- Aanya Shah, Troy, Michigan (Troy High School)
- Shubha Gautam, Columbia, Missouri (Rock Bridge Senior High School)
- Santosh Manikandan, Wentzville, Missouri (Liberty High School)
- Deetya B. Nagri, Nashua, New Hampshire (Nashua Senior High School South)
- Prayag J. Patel, Auburn, New Hampshire (The Derryfield School)
- Pranav Sitaraman, Edison, New Jersey (Middlesex County Academy for Science Math & Engineering)
- Dishita Agarwal, Greensboro, North Carolina (The Early College at Guilford)
- Prithvi Vijay Narayanan, State College, Pennsylvania (State College Area High School)
- Aneri Shethji, Sewickley, Pennsylvania (North Allegheny Senior High)
- Raaga Kodali, Ashburn, Virginia (Briar Woods High School)
- Sriya Yalamanchili, Sterling, Virginia (Academies of Loudoun)
- Ashwin Joshi, Kennewick, Washington (Southridge High School)
- Siddhartha Dylan Pant, Lakewood, Washington (Lakes High School)
- Kosha Upadhyay, Bellevue, Washington (Bellevue Senior High School)
- Amisha Sao, Cedar Park, Texas (Round Rock High School)
The inclusion has shown the diverse talent and dedication present among Indian American youth, contributing to the broader narrative of academic and extracurricular excellence within the community.
