U.S. Department of Education has named seven Maine students as semifinalists in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The national program recognizes seniors across the country as being among our nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors.
“I am incredibly proud of the continued academic accomplishments of Maine students through the inevitable disruptions over the past year,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin. “I applaud these talented students on their well-deserved recognition and wish them the very best as they transition into the next exciting chapter of their lives.”
The semifinalist scholars are chosen on the basis of their accomplishments in many areas including academic and artistic success, career and technical fields, leadership, and involvement in school and the community. They represent excellence in education and are among the most accomplished youth in our country.
From nearly 3.6 million graduating high school seniors from across the country, over 6,500 students were identified as candidates in this program. 625 semifinalists were selected, seven of whom are from Maine.
Maine U.S. Presidential Scholar semifinalists:
Harshini K. Chaganti
Scarborough High School
Devon Michael Hunter
John Bapst Memorial High School
Pedro Santiago Little-Siebold
Ellsworth High School
**Culiandra Rose Nero
Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School
Swetha Palaniappan
Cape Elizabeth High School
Wade F. Wahlig
Falmouth High School
Aislynn K Worden
Sanford High School
** Semifinalist for U.S. Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education
The semifinalists form the pool from which the 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars will be chosen in May. Visit http://www.ed.gov/psp for the complete list of semifinalists across the country.