Two Plano ISD seniors have been selected as semifinalists in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Congratulations to:

• Brandon Chen, Plano West Senior High School
• Shiva Teerdhala, Plano East Senior High School

The U.S. 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. Annually almost 4,000 students are selected as candidates for the award. Application is by invitation only; therefore, students may not apply individually to the program, nor may their schools nominate them. For 2019 twenty-two Plano ISD students were named as U.S. Presidential Scholar candidates. Read more in Headline News.

In May, up to 161 students will be named as U.S. Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.

More information about the Presidential Scholars Program

The Presidential Scholars Program is a recognition program; no scholarship is given. 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. 

Application is by invitation only. Students are invited to apply based on their scores on the SAT or ACT exam or their nomination by a Chief State School Officer (CSSO—The CSSO is the individual who heads each state education agency or state Department of Education) or nomination from one of our partner recognition organizations, during the year of their graduation from high school, To be eligible for the program, candidates must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent U.S. residents. Students who meet all qualifications will automatically be sent program notification and a unique nomination ID in January of 2019.