4 metro Phoenix high school seniors named 2019 US Presidential Scholars

PHOENIX – More than 3.6 million students are expected to graduate from U.S. high schools this year.

Of them, only 161 were named to the prestigious list of 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholars, which was released Tuesday.

Four of the winners are from metro Phoenix: Adrian Henry Kwiatkowski of Red Mountain High School in Mesa, Phoenix resident Saaketh Ram-Rachakonda Narayan of BASIS Scottsdale, Ruth Nyagaka of Williams Field High School in Gilbert and Amy Zhou of Scottsdale Preparatory Academy.

At least one male and one female student from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico made the 2019 list. Additionally, there are 15 at-large scholars nationwide, 20 scholars in the arts and 20 scholars in career and technical education.

Kwiatkowski and Nyagaka were among the career and technical education scholars.

Congratulations to Red Mountain High's Adrian Kwiatkowski, named a 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education! https://t.co/M3SVhaTgCn #cte #educationexcellence #oneteam pic.twitter.com/ExuwzllniQ

— Mesa Public Schools (@mpsaz) May 7, 2019

Williams Field senior Ruth Nyagaka will compete for the honor of being a 2018-2019 U.S. Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education. Ruth is a student in the school’s Business Operations and Marketing classes. To learn more visit https://t.co/X7S4GokOvQ @WFHighSchool pic.twitter.com/vUgpLY7Z6y

— Higley Schools (@higleydistrict) December 5, 2018

All winners will be honored during a June 23 ceremony at the White House, where they will be presented with Presidential Scholars medallions.

Congrats to this year’s class of Presidential Scholars! Their hard work and commitment to excellence, no matter what challenge they are tackling, will serve them well throughout their lifelong learning journeys. Learn more ➡️ https://t.co/QWGDzLgRwo

— Betsy DeVos (@BetsyDeVosED) May 7, 2019

“I have no doubt that many of tomorrow’s leaders are among this year’s class of scholars,” U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said in a press release.

The Presidential Scholars program was created in 1964.

Winners are selected by a federal commission on the basis of performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams or nominations by Chief State School Officers or other recognized organizations.

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