The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program announce Vihaan Jain and Priyanka Senthil semi-finalist for the 2021Presidential Scholars from Nevada. Initially eleven students from the South Asian community were named candidates for the 2021 Presidential Scholars Program.

Currently, Vihaan is a senior and class salutatorian at the West Career and Technical Academy, while Priyanka is attending Davidson Academy of Nevada, Reno.  

At West Tech, Vihaan has been active in DECA, serving as the Nevada DECA Vice President of Career Development and being a 2-time international competitive event finalist. He is also an international champion for HOSA, a board member on the Nevada Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon Commission, and previously served as the Vice President for his school’s Speech and Debate Team. Vihaan will be attending The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he will major in Economics and concentrate in Finance.

The Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.

Application to the program is by invitation only which is based on their scores on the SAT or ACT exam or their nomination by a Chief State School Officer.

Students chosen as U.S. Presidential Scholars receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D. C. in June and are presented the U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House, in commemoration of their achievements. During their visit to Washington, Scholars have access to important national and international figures, including government officials, educators, authors, musicians, scientists, and other accomplished people.The final winning scholars will be announced in May