Six New Hampshire Students Named Semifinalists in Prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

CONCORD, NH - Six exceptional high school seniors from New Hampshire have been named semifinalists in the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, a national honor that recognizes some of the country’s most distinguished graduating students.

The New Hampshire semifinalists are:

• Charles J. Anderson, Portsmouth High School (Portsmouth)

• Rahma A. Ibrahim, Li Po Chun United World College (Brookline)

• Roxane Park, Phillips Exeter Academy (Bedford)

• Vedant Patil, Nashua High School South (Nashua)

• Meera Rajendran, Salem High School (Salem)

• Avishant Gupta Ullal, The Derryfield School (Hollis)

  
  

“These students have stood out not only for their academic excellence, but also for their creativity, leadership and dedication across the arts and Career and Technical Education programs,” said New Hampshire Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut. “Their energy, talent and hard work make them outstanding representatives of New Hampshire, and we’re proud to see them recognized as semifinalists for such a prestigious program.”

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, established by executive order in 1964, honors graduating seniors who demonstrate exceptional achievement in academics, the arts, leadership, and career and technical education. The program was expanded in 1979 and again in 2015 to include recognition for students with exceptional talent in the arts and technical education fields. Each year, up to 161 students are named Presidential Scholars nationally.

This year’s semifinalists from New Hampshire were selected from thousands of candidates across the country. Finalists will be announced later this year by the U.S. Department of Education.

More information about the program is available at ed.gov/psp.