The U.S. Department of Education has announced the selection of 161 exceptional high school seniors as the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars, recognizing their remarkable achievements in academics, the arts, and career and technical education. Five of those students are from Kentucky. They are:
- Hosamulhaq Brula, South Warren High School (Warren County);
- Samuel J Busse, arts, (Owensboro Independent);
- Alexavier Colton Garrott, career and technical education, Madisonville North Hopkins High School (Hopkins County);
- Deepika Koripelli, duPont Manual Magnet High School (Jefferson County); and
- Avneesh Mahesh Kudrimoti, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School (Fayette County).
“It is a tremendous honor to see five of Kentucky’s public-school students recognized among this distinguished group of high-achieving students,” said Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher. “Their accomplishments reflect exceptional dedication and hard work, and they represent the promise and potential of students across the Commonwealth.”
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars identifies honorees through a rigorous selection process, evaluating academic excellence, artistic and technical talent, essays, school recommendations, and evidence of leadership and community service.
This year, out of 3.9 million graduating high school seniors, more than 6,700 candidates qualified for consideration based on outstanding performance on the College Board SAT or ACT exams or nominations by chief state school officers.
The 2026 class includes one young man and one young woman from every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 at-large Scholars, 20 Scholars in the arts, and 20 Scholars in career and technical education, as directed by Presidential Executive Order.
Since its inception in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored approximately 8,800 of America’s top-performing students. The program expanded in 1979 to recognize artistic excellence and, in 2015, to celebrate achievements in career and technical education.
Each member of the 2026 class will receive an engraved U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion, symbolizing their extraordinary accomplishments and bright futures.
For a complete list of students selected, visit the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars webpage.
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