News Releases

Printer-Friendly Version

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Priya Krishnan Named U.S. Presidential Scholar

Priya Krishnan, a student at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), has been named a 2012 U.S. Presidential Scholar. The announcement was made by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. TJHSST is a Fairfax County public school.

Krishnan is one of six students in Virginia and 141 students nationwide recognized for outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community. The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects honored scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals. Of the three million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 3,300 candidates qualified for the 2012 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams, and through nominations made by chief state school officers or the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts nationwide YoungArts™ competition.

The 2012 Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large and 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts.

Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored more than 6,000 of the nation’s top-performing students with the prestigious award given to honorees during an annual ceremony in Washington, D.C., in June. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts.