Carmel Clay Schools congratulates the 12 Carmel High School seniors selected as candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Only 4,500 high school seniors across the U.S. are invited to apply to become an official U.S. Presidential Scholar, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students. In April, the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars will review applications and will select up to 161 students for a U.S. Presidential Scholar based upon their academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership, service activities, and the quality of content in their essay.  

Carmel Clay Schools U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidates are as follows:

Rida Z. Bonday
Parker Y. Jou
Julian C. Knudson
Kevin J. Liu
Adelle J. Murphy
Semanti J. Naiken
Saichandana Pothireddy
Rahul A. Prakash
Sophia Y. Wang
Alanna Wu
James Yin
Michelle Yinn

“We are very proud of these 12 individuals for being selected as U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidates,” said Principal Tom Harmas. “These students continue to represent Carmel High School and the community well through their academic excellence, leadership and service.”

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by Executive Order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our Nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Those who are selected as U.S. Presidential Scholars will be honored for their accomplishments with a trip to Washington, D.C. and a Presidential Scholars Medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House. This unique program has honored more than 7,000 U.S. Presidential Scholars, who have demonstrated scholarship, leadership, artistic excellence and selfless service to others.