Baton Rouge’s Daniel Liu, Ponchatoula’s Khalil McKnight, and Shreveport’s Ananya Bhatia among 161 high school seniors nationwide to receive distinguished honor
(BATON ROUGE, LA) - Three Louisiana students have been named 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars. The U.S. Department of Education today announced the 59th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars, recognizing 161 high school seniors for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields.
The 2023 Louisiana scholars are:
- East Baton Rouge Parish: Daniel Z. Liu, Baton Rouge Magnet High
- Caddo Parish: Ananya Bhatia, Caddo Parish Magnet High
- Tangipahoa Parish: Khalil J. McKnight, Hammond High (*U.S. Presidential Scholar in Arts)
“Congratulations to these scholars on a remarkable achievement that places them among our nation’s best and brightest,” said State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley. “I’m proud to celebrate their success and look forward to the positive impact they can have as future leaders in our state.”
Scholars are selected annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as a demonstrated commitment to community service and leadership. Of the 3.7 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,000 candidates qualified for the 2023 awards.
The 2023 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.
Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored over 8,000 of the nation’s top-performing students. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.
The Presidential Scholars Class of 2023 will be recognized for their outstanding achievement this summer with an online recognition program.
A complete list of 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars is available at http://www.ed.gov/psp.