JP Stevens bright sparks vie for Presidential Scholars program

(NJ)– Eight students from J.P. Stevens High School here are among the 3,000 high school seniors from across the country selected by the federal government as candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

The bright sparks will be able to submit applications to be among the 560 semi-finalists.

The eight candidates from Edison are: Aravind Amoor, Jae Hyun Lee, Miheer Patankar, Kaamya Varagur, Brendan S. Wu, Steven S. Xie, Ziqin Yuan and Dennis Zhang.

They all scored well on the SAT or the ACT or in some instances were chosen on the basis of their artistic abilities to become candidates for the rare honor.

The program, which began in 1964, annually recognizes high school students on the basis of their accomplishments in many areas—academic and artistic success, leadership, and involvement in school and the community.

Fewer than 200 of the nation’s students will become Presidential Scholars.

Those selected will travel to Washington D.C. in June for enrichment activities and be presented with a Presidential Scholars Medallion during a ceremony sponsored by the White House.

For now, each candidate must submit an essay, self-assessment, school reports and transcripts.