Tuesday, May 19, 2015

 

Superintendent Spearman Congratulates 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholars

Columbia, S.C. – State Superintendent of Education Molly M. Spearman congratulates three South Carolina students for being recognized as 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholars.

 

“I would like to congratulate Prateek C. Shah, Qiang Zhang, and Valerie C. Sacha for being selected to represent South Carolina as a U.S. Presidential Scholar,” said Spearman. “This is a great honor for these students, their families, schools, and local communities. I am so proud of these students and their accomplishments and look forward to reading about their future success!”

Each year the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects high school students based on their academic success, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.

Only 141 students in the nation are given the esteemed title of U.S. Presidential Scholar. Chosen students receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. in June where they are presented with a U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House.
  
Each winner is listed with their respective school and district:
Prateek C. Shah, Southside High School, Greenville School District
Qiang Zhang, River Bluff High School, Lexington School District One
Valerie C. Sacha, Academic Magnet High School, Charleston County School District

In addition to the three winners, the following South Carolina students qualified as semifinalists:
Cameron N. Messinides, South Carolina Governor's School for Arts & Humanities
Vaibhav Mohanty, Academic Magnet High School, Charleston County School District
Thomas R. Kellogg, Scholars Academy, Horry County Schools
Selina J. Pi, Academic Magnet High School, Charleston County School District
Gordon S. Zhang, South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics

For more information visit the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Photo: L-R – Prateek C. Shah; Qiang Zhang; and Valerie C. Sacha.