Danville Students Named U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidates

DANVILLE, CA — Two Monte Vista High School students, and a total of six SRVUSD students, were named as candidates to become U.S. Presidential Scholars.

Sabrina Brandeis and Vishaan Joshi were two of 5,000 students named as candidates for the prestigious award, which honors graduating high school seniors with superior achievements in academics, leadership, and community involvement.

"I am honored to be selected as a candidate for such a prestigious award. I am thankful for my counselor, Mrs. Tegeler, who has supported me and encouraged me throughout high school," Brandeis said.

Four other SRVUSD students are also candidates:

• Navya Kancharla, Dougherty Valley High School
• Alexander J. Moyer, California High School
• Harshitha Palacharla, California High School
• Srushti Taller, Dougherty Valley High School

“The six students who were announced as candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program have made our entire community extremely proud,” said SRVUSD Superintendent Dr. John Malloy. “These students exemplify our commitment to excellence.”

Seven students from Pleasanton and two students from Dublin were also selected.

A panel of distinguished educators will review submissions and select approximately 600 semifinalists in early April. The Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of up to 32 eminent citizens selected by the president, will select up to 161 finalists, whose names will be announced in May.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 to recognize the nation’s most promising students. Most students are selected based on broad academic achievement, though each year, about 20 students are selected based on outstanding academic and artistic achievement, and another 20 or so are selected based on outstanding career and technical education achievement.

Candidacy is invitation-only. Students who score exceptionally well on either the SAT or ACT exam are identified as candidates. Eligible candidates are also identified by their state’s Chief State School Officer and several other recognition organizations such as YoungArts and The National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists.

Winners do not receive a monetary scholarship, like the National Merit Scholarship. Instead, they are invited to an all-expenses paid trip to the White House, where they are presented with a Presidential Scholars Medallion at a special ceremony.

For more information, contact presidential.scholars@ed.gov or visit ed.gov/psp.