Our Bureau
Washington, DC
State College Area High School senior Prithvi Narayanan was chosen to be a 2024 US Presidential Scholar. He is one of 161 seniors selected for outstanding scholastic and artistic achievement, citizenship, service, and contributions to their schools and communities.
Narayanan, one of two Pennsylvania representatives, is the eighth Presidential Scholar from State High and the first since Joey Feffer in 2017. A figure skater, geography bee competitor, Indian classical music artist and former student representative to the State College Borough, will attend Yale University to study political science. He aspires to bring people together and help preserve and strengthen American democracy as a model for the world.
Over 5,700 candidates qualified for the award based on outstanding performance on the College Board SAT or ACT exams or through nominations made by Chief State School Officers, other partner recognition organizations, and the National YoungArts Foundation’s nationwide YoungArts program.
Several Indian Americans are among this year’s Presidential Scholars, one of the highest honors for high school students in the country. The US Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by order of the President to recognize and honor some of our nation’s most distinguished high school graduates.
In 1979, the program was expanded to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, the program was expanded again to recognize students who demonstrate proficiency and achievement in career and technical education. Up to 161 students are appointed scholars each year.
