Four students from the GazetteLeader coverage area are among 161 nationally (and just five from Virginia) to be named 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars.
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.
Students from the local area include Emma Cox, Mira Iris Kim and Teja Koduru of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology and Mayra Rios of James Madison High School.
The 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 U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 Scholars in the Arts and 20 Scholars in Career and Technical Education.
Of the students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,000 candidates qualified for the 2023 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams or through nominations made by state education officials, other partner recognition organizations and the National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists' nationwide YoungArts competition.
