Columbia, S.C. – Richland School District Two boasts nine outstanding seniors who have emerged as candidates in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. This prestigious program, overseen by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, annually selects scholars based on their exceptional academic achievements, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations, transcripts, community service, leadership, and commitment to high ideals.
The candidates from Richland School District Two are:
- Annabelle V. Manville, Blythewood High School
- Eva D. Pendleton, Blythewood High School
- Sanvi Divekar, Spring Valley High School
- Jackson L. Dowey, Spring Valley High School
- Shrihan Ganesh Babu, Spring Valley High School
- Abagail B. Greer, Spring Valley High School
- Jisoo Lee, Spring Valley High School
- Iraine Y. Taine, Spring Valley High School
- Ryan C. Young, Spring Valley High School
These students join over 100 candidates in South Carolina and thousands nationwide competing for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Established in 1964, the program initially focused on academic excellence and later expanded to recognize outstanding students in visual, creative, and performing arts in 1979. In 2015, it extended its scope to acknowledge students excelling in career and technical education.
Each year, a maximum of 161 students are named Presidential Scholars, marking one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students. Notably, Cathy C. Tang from Spring Valley High School secured the title of a 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholar last year. The district takes pride in its candidates and wishes them success in this highly competitive program.
