Hillsborough Students Chosen For US Presidential Scholars Program

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Six graduating seniors at Hillsborough High School have been chosen as one of the 4,500 candidates in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Youssef Abdelhalim, Nipun Banerjee, Cindy X. Dang, Emily. X. Pan, Ryan M. Pierson, and Nihal Saxena were selected from nearly 3.6 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2021.

The Hillsborough students were selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments in many areas.

A panel of educators will select about 600 semifinalists in early April and then 32 eminent citizens appointed by the President, will select the finalists in May.

Annually, up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen from among that year’s senior class. If circumstances permit, all Scholars are invited to Washington, DC in June for the National Recognition Program, featuring various events and enrichment activities and culminating
in the presentation of the Presidential Scholars Medallion during a White House-sponsored ceremony.

If circumstances permit, scholars will be invited to Washington, DC, for several days in June to receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion at a recognition ceremony and to participate in events and activities.

For more information about the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, parents and students can call the U.S. Presidential Scholars Office at 507-931-8345, or send an e-mail to PSP@scholarshipamerica.org.

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