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Twelve Kentucky students are among 627 high school students named as semifinalists in the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the president, to recognize and honor some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.

Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.

The Kentucky students named semifinalists are:

  • Hosamulhaq Brula, South Warren High School;
  • Samuel J. Busse, Owensboro Senior High School (Owensboro Independent), in the arts;
  • Manas R. Garla, Western Hills High School (Franklin County);
  • Alexavier Colton Garrott, Madisonville North Hopkin High School (Hopkins County), in career and technical education;
  • Angelique D. Hernandez, Paducah Tilghman High School (Paducah Independent), in the arts;
  • Deepika Koripelli, duPont Manual Magnet High School (Jefferson County);
  • Avneesh Mahesh Kudrimoti,  Paul Laurence Dunbar High School (Fayette County);
  • Grace J. Shen, Kentucky Country Day School;
  • Kendall Lynne Slaughter, Spencer County High School, in career and technical education;
  • Robert Shane Smith, Belfry High School (Pike County);
  • Ella S. Xing, duPont Manual Magnet High School (Jefferson County); and
  • Olivia Zhang, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School (Fayette County).

Every year, over 5,000 candidates apply having scored exceptionally well on the SAT or the ACT. Application is by invitation only. Students in Kentucky must be nominated by their high school and apply to be considered for nomination by the Kentucky Commissioner of Education.

Two students from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. families living abroad are selected as U.S. Presidential Scholars. Those students will be announced later this year.