10 Maryland Public HS Students Named Semifinalists in U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

June 2, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Raven Hill, 410-767-0486
raven.hill@maryland.gov

Howard and Montgomery graduating seniors are among 621 candidates nationwide for prestigious recognition.

BALTIMORE (June 2, 2025) – Ten Maryland public high school students from Howard and Montgomery counties are among the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program semifinalists.

Established in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program honors the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Up to 161 students nationwide will be named U.S. Presidential Scholars by the U.S. Department of Education in the coming months. Scholars are selected on the basis of their accomplishments in many areas, such as academic and artistic achievement, career and technical education success, leadership, and school and community involvement. 

“These students are among the best of the best in Maryland and nationally,” said Dr. Carey M. Wright, State Superintendent of Schools. “We are incredibly proud of their success as semifinalists in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program and extend our best wishes for the final round of the selection process.” 

The Maryland public school semifinalists are:

Howard County Public School System

• Rahul Kumar Goyal – River Hill High School
• Yehji Hwang – Centennial High School 
• Kelly D. Liu – Marriotts Ridge High School 
• Mehin A. Pandya – Mount Hebron High School 
• Ryan Gui Zhou – Howard High School (Arts) 

 

Montgomery County Public Schools

• Katherine Ying Hua – Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School 
• Myla J. Leung – Winston Churchill High School
• Yunyi Ling – Montgomery Blair High School 
• Karthik Srinivas Vedula – Poolesville Senior High School
• Annie W. Zhao – Poolesville Senior High School 

 

Overall, a total of 11 Maryland public and private school students are among the 621 semifinalists nationwide this year. 

For more information, visit www.ed.gov/psp.

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