Three High School Students in Louisiana Chosen to Receive Nationwide Distinguished Honor of Presidential Scholars
Louisiana – Three high school students in Louisiana have been chosen to receive the nationwide distinguished honor of Presidential Scholars.
The Louisiana Department of Education has announced the selection of three Louisiana students as 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars. The United States Department of Education named the 59th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars on May 10, honoring 161 high school seniors for outstanding achievements in academics, the arts, and vocational and technical education disciplines.
The Louisiana scholars for 2023 are:
- East Baton Rouge Parish: Daniel Z. Liu, Baton Rouge Magnet High
- Caddo Parish: Ananya Bhatia, Caddo Parish Magnet High
- Tangipahoa Parish: Khalil J. McKnight, Hammond High (*U.S. Presidential Scholar in Arts)
“Congratulations to these scholars on a remarkable achievement that places them among our nation’s best and brightest,” said State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley. “I’m proud to celebrate their success and look forward to the positive impact they can have as future leaders in our state.”
Scholars are chosen each year based on academic achievement, creative and technical brilliance, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, and a demonstrated dedication to community service and leadership. More than 5,000 candidates qualified for the 2023 honors out of the 3.7 million students slated to graduate from high school this year.
The 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars will include one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 at-large selections, 20 arts scholars, and 20 vocational and technical education scholars.
Since its inception in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has recognized over 8,000 of the nation’s outstanding students. In 1979, the program was expanded to award students with remarkable talent in the visual, literary, and performing arts. The program was expanded again in 2015 to award students who have demonstrated skill and accomplishment in vocational and technical education disciplines.
This summer, the Presidential Scholars Class of 2023 will be recognized for their exceptional achievement through an online recognition program.