BALTIMORE, MD—The U.S. Department of Education has named two Baltimore County Public Schools high school students as semifinalists in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

The 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program honors high school seniors who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts, or in career and technical education. Up to 161 students are selected annually, and the finalists are announced in mid-May.

In all, 13 Maryland high school students were among this year’s semifinalists.  The selections were announced by Interim State Superintendent Dr. Carey M. Wright.

This year’s semifinalists representing Maryland are: 

• Lamia Amal Ayaz – Howard High School
  (Howard County Public Schools)
• Matthew W. Beck – Stephen Decatur High School
  (Worcester County Public Schools)
• Maximilian P. Belyanstev – Richard Montgomery High School
  (Montgomery County Public Schools)
• Digonto Chatterjee – Thomas S. Wootton High School
  (Montgomery County Public Schools)
• Caden Louis Crook – Kent Island High School
  (Queen Anne’s County Public Schools)
• Oluwatoyosi Samantha Dada – Towson High School
  (Baltimore County Public Schools)
• Mingni L. Dong – Dulaney High School
  (Baltimore County Public Schools)
• Stefan D. Fernandez – Patuxent High School
  (Calvert County Public Schools)
• William J. Gao – Centennial High School
  (Howard County Public Schools)
• Annie Guo – Richard Montgomery High School
  (Montgomery County Public Schools)
• Minaal A Khwaja – Wicomico High School
  (Wicomico County Public Schools)
• Archana Ponnada – Marriotts Ridge High School
  (Howard County Public Schools)
• Angelina Xu – Richard Montgomery High School
  (Montgomery County Public Schools)

“In recognition of their outstanding achievement, we proudly celebrate these selected students from across the state of Maryland who have been named semifinalists in this highly prestigious program,” said Interim State Superintendent Dr. Carey M. Wright. “Congratulations to these exceptional individuals for their remarkable achievements.”

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Image via the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program