The United States Presidential Scholars Program announce a selection of Justin Joseph as a 2013 Presidential Scholar from Nevada.  Additionally, National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced Justin Joseph one of this year’s National Merit $2500 Scholarship winner from Nevada.

Justin will be honored at the White House along with other Presidential Scholars during the National Recognition Weekend to be held on June 15 – 18.

The 2013 U.S. 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 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts.  In honoring the Presidential Scholars, the President of the United States symbolically honors all graduating high school seniors of high potential.

Presidential and Merit Scholar Justin, son of Martin and Shyla Joseph , was chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding Finalists in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program. National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners are the Finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors. 

A review committee of qualified individuals experienced in secondary and post-secondary education evaluates candidates on their academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities, and an analysis of their essay. 

For National Merit, Justin was selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors.  Justin with his twin sister Jessica are joining a 8-year BA/MD medical program at the Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.  Justin has a perfect ACT score of 36 and SAT scored a near-perfect score of 2390 out of 2400.  

Justin, along with his twin sister Jessica, graduated from the Valley High magnet school where he was enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program.   In his free time, Justin has been actively volunteering at the University Medical Center.  Justin was also awarded the Eagle Scout Award, the highest honor bestowed the Boy Scouts of America.  Justin and his sister were both presidents of their school’s chapter of Health Occupations Students of America.  Justin was actively involved with Forensics, National Honor Society, and was a captain of Valley High School’s Varsity Quiz team. Justin led his team to regional semifinals and won the Harvey Dondero Award for his commitment and success. 

Justin became the fifth Presidential Scholar from Las Vegas Indian community.  The past presidential scholars are –

2003 – Ravi Chanderraj, Meadows High School, Harvard University

2006 – Shipra De, Green Valley High School, UNLV

2007 – Shaan Patel, Clark High Schoo, University of Southern California

2011 – Sanchay Gupta, Meadows High School, Stanfor University