18 GA High School Seniors Are Presidential Scholar Semifinalists

GEORGIA — Eighteen Georgia high school seniors are semifinalists for the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, the Education Department recently announced.

The Georgia students, among 650 nationwide, are:

• Nandana Avasarala, Smyrna - The Westminster Schools
• Remi Baker, Greensboro - Interlochen Arts Academy
• Rithika Durvasula, Cumming- South Forsyth High School
• Megha Goddu, Cumming- Alliance Academy for Innovation of Cumming
• Nathaniel Carter Hayes Jr., Guyton - Effingham County High School
• Jennifer J He, Marietta -George Walton High School
• Riya Sundari Janakiraman, Cumming - South Forsyth High School
• Esther M Jung, Buford - Mill Creek High School
• Han Shaun Lee, Alpharetta -Johns Creek High School
• Gordon E Lichtstein, Decatur- Decatur High School
• Jorge Enrique Millan Merchan, Savannah - Herschel V Jenkins High School
• Aneesha Rayalla, Cumming - South Forsyth High School
• Vineeth Sendilraj, Suwanee- Lambert High School
• William Stedman Steinfeld, Milledgeville -Georgia Military Coll High School
• Andrew H Su, Marietta - The Westminster Schools
• Hazel Thekkekara, Alpharetta - Alpharetta High School
• Justin Hanxiang Wang, Duluth- Lambert High School
• Joanna Yian Xiao, Richmond Hill - Richmond Hill High School

The program, established in 1964, recognizes and honors some of the nation's most accomplished graduating high school seniors.

The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional ability in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, it was expanded again to honor students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.

Each year, up to 161 students nationwide are selected to be U.S. Presidential Scholars. That announcement will be made by the Education Department in May.