Two Loudoun County Public School students have been named 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars. These students are among the 161 students from around the country – and two of the six from Virginia – selected for the honor. The students are:
Sriya Yalamanchili, Academies of Loudoun and Rock Ridge High School, has been named a 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholar.
Raaga Kodali, Briar Woods High School, has been named a U.S. Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education (CTE).
Yalamanchili has consistently taken and excelled at college and pre-college courses, according to Academies of Loudoun placement coordinator Kelly Robucci. She has also actively served her community. She has held leadership positions in high school, including vice president of the Rock Ridge High School National Honor Society, and interned at local health institutions, including Inova Schar Cancer Center.
According to Briar Woods Director of Counseling Jessie Green, Kodali has served as the Virginia DECA chapter’s 2023 state president and the 2022 state vice president of member engagement. She was also Briar Wood's DECA chapter's vice president of career development. In addition to her engagement with DECA, Kodali volunteers with community organizations and is serves as a research intern for Laura TeKrony, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors.
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars annually selects scholars based on academic success, excellence in the arts and in technical education through essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as a demonstrated commitment to community service and leadership.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars recognizes two students from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 scholars in the arts and 20 scholars in career and technical education. More than 5,700 candidates qualified for the 2024 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT or ACT exams or through nominations made by chief state school officers, other partner recognition organizations and YoungArts, the National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists.
Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored over 8,200 top-performing students throughout its 60 years. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students with exceptional visual, literary, and performing arts talent. In 2015, it expanded to recognize students demonstrating ability and accomplishment in career and technical education.
The Presidential Scholars Class of 2024 will be recognized for their achievement this summer during an online recognition program. A complete list of 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars follows and is also available at the U.S. Department of Education website.
Published June 17, 2024