Rochester Student Meets First Lady, Secretary of Education

Pranita Balusu of Rochester is pictured with U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan after being named a U.S. Presidential Scholar. She also met First Lady Michelle Obama.

The program was established in 1964 by an executive order of President Lyndon B. Johnson to honor some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.

In 1979, the program the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. Each year, up to 141 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.

The recognition ceremony was in May, but photos have only recently been released.