Acting Secretary Rivera Congratulates PA's Semifinalists for Presidential Scholars Program

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Acting Secretary Pedro Rivera today offered his congratulations to the 17 semifinalists for the 2015 Presidential Scholars Program from Pennsylvania.

"We could not be more proud of the young men and women who will be representing Pennsylvania in the next step of the national program. These students represent the epitome of academic excellence and have garnered the high honor of being chosen from more than 4,300 candidates from across the country as semifinalists," Rivera said. "Not only do we recognize the outstanding achievements of these students but also the dedication of the parents and teachers who instilled in them a passion for learning."

The 2015 Semifinalists from Pennsylvania are:

• Kevin M. Biju, Methacton High School, Methacton School District, Montgomery County
• Michael Minh T. Duong, Methacton High School, Methacton School District, Montgomery County
• Andrew Ge, Wissahickon High School, Wissahickon School District, Montgomery County
• Rama R. Godse, Fox Chapel Area High School, Fox Chapel Area School District, Allegheny County
• Brendan A. Leech, Shady Side Academy, Allegheny County
• Manasa K. Melachuri, The Winchester Thurston School, Allegheny County
• Sang Bin Park, Harriton High School, Lower Merion School District, Montgomery County (Scholar in the Arts)
• Abby S. Rubin, Central Bucks High School South, Central Bucks School District, Bucks County
• Martin F. Schneider, Upper Dublin High School, Upper Dublin School District, Montgomery County
• Seung Yeon Seo, Radnor High School, Radnor Township School District, Delaware County
• Claire J. Sheen, MMI Preparatory School, Luzerne County
• Andrew Shu, State College Area High School, State College Area School District, Centre County
• Joseph A. Sileo, Abington Heights High School, Abington Heights School District, Lackawanna County
• Daniel C. Wang, Parkland High School, Parkland School District, Lehigh County
• Lucas P. Wozniak, Cumberland Valley High School, Cumberland Valley School District, Cumberland County
• Rohan Yadav, North Allegheny High School, North Allegheny School District, Allegheny County
• Jay X. Zhou, Upper Dublin High School, Upper Dublin School District, Montgomery County

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 to recognize and honor some of the most distinguished graduating seniors from across the country.  In 1979, the program was expanded to recognize students who demonstrate excellence in the visual, creative, and performing arts.

Each year, approximately 560 candidates are chosen as semifinalists and up to 141 students are named as U.S. Presidential Scholars in a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. in June.

MEDIA CONTACT: Nicole Reigelman – 717-783-9802

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Education

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us