Morristown Native Named 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholar

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A Morristown native has been named a 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholar, joining a select group of students recognized for outstanding academic achievement and other accomplishments.

Annabelle Yao, a Morristown resident who attended The Lawrenceville School in Mercer County, was among 161 students nationwide selected for the honor by the U.S. Department of Education.

Yao is one of six students from New Jersey recognized in the 2026 class of Presidential Scholars, according to the federal government's official list of recipients.

Established in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognizes some of the nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Students are selected based on academic achievement, artistic excellence, accomplishments in career and technical education, leadership, and contributions to their schools and communities.

The program recognizes up to 161 students annually, making it one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.

The other New Jersey recipients include Sahaj Bhandari of Parsippany, Jismi Mathew of East Hanover, Sapna K. Patel of Northfield, Eric Sigalov of Princeton, and Kevin J. Zhang of Annandale.

The full list of 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars is available through the U.S. Department of Education.