Michigan Department of Education Congratulates 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholar Semifinalists and Finalists

LANSING – Three Michigan high school seniors—Joshua Brown of Interlochen Arts Academy, Claire Swadling of Plymouth-Canton High School, and Ryan Puran Tang Wang of Ann Arbor Greenhills School—have been selected as finalists from a list of 17 semifinalists in the state for the 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars program, the Michigan Department of Education shared today.

Students are chosen as U.S. Presidential Scholars by the U.S. Department of Education (USED), with the finalists receiving the Presidential Scholars Medallion in commemoration of their achievements in this national recognition program. The finalists and semifinalists are listed below.

“This honor showcases the incredibly talented students we have in Michigan,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. “Joshua, Claire, Ryan, and their families, schools, and teachers can be proud of the hard work that produced this national recognition.”

Scholars are initially chosen in partnership between the Michigan Department of Education and the Michigan Council for History Education (MCHE). They are then recommended by MCHE to the U.S. Department of Education based on their accomplishments in many areas—academic and artistic success, accomplishment in career and technical fields, leadership, and involvement in school and the community. These scholars represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America's young people.

The achievements of these outstanding students deserve acknowledgment, as shared by MCHE board member Nick Orlowski.

"On behalf of the Michigan Council for History Education, I would like to congratulate the Michigan scholars who earned this tremendous distinction,” Orlowski said. “Each year, one of my highlights as a board member is getting to review the applications we receive as an awards committee. The future of Michigan is bright, and we have our amazing teachers and their talented students to thank."

The U.S. Presidential Scholars program was established in 1964 by an executive order of President Lyndon Johnson to recognize and honor some of this nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Each year, up to 161 students are named Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.

From approximately 3.7 million graduating high school seniors across the country, over 5,000 students were identified as candidates in this program, and 620 semifinalists were selected. These semifinalists form the pool from which the 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars have been chosen.

This year's list of Michigan semifinalists includes the following:

• Joshua Brown – Interlochen Arts Academy
• Keerthana Danasekaran – Northville High School
• Matson C. Garza – Madison High School
• Zoie Geronimi – Kingsford High School
• Sophia F. Graham – Gross Pointe North High School
• Sambhav Gupta – Northville High School
• Kaivalya Rajesh Kulkarni – Okemos High School
• Benjamin Lammers – Tecumseh High School
• Dillan C. Lau – Detroit Country Day School
• Kristine Ma – Detroit Country Day School
• Sophia A. Meguid – Utica High School
• Yash Mehta - North Farmington High School
• Claire Swadling – Plymouth-Canton High School
• Sharanya Swaminathan – Troy High School
• Abhishek Vangipuram – Novi High School
• Ryan Puran Tang Wang – Ann Arbor Greenhills School
• Andrew Z. Ye - Ann Arbor Huron High School

This year's list of Michigan finalists includes the following:

• Joshua Brown – Interlochen Arts Academy
• Claire Swadling – Plymouth-Canton High School
• Ryan Puran Tang Wang – Ann Arbor Greenhills School

To learn more about the U.S. Presidential Scholars program and its history, please visit http:www.ed.gov/psp.