Elaine Wang, Natasha Kulviwat, Ariana Watson, Detola Badmus named presidential scholars
Natasha Kulviwat, a senior at Jericho High School, is all smiles Jan. 24 after being named a finalist in the Regeneron Science Talent Search Competition. Credit: James Carbone
Four Long Island high school seniors were among six New Yorkers across the state selected on Thursday as prestigious U.S. presidential scholars.
In total, 161 seniors nationwide were chosen by the Department of Education for the award — considered among the nation's highest honors for seniors — for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields.
The four Long Islanders, all from Nassau County, are Elaine Wang of Garden City High School; Natasha Kulviwat of Jericho High School; Ariana Amanda Watson of Lawrence High School in Cedarhurst and Detola D. Badmus of Elmont, who attends Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan.
The two other New Yorkers selected as presidential scholars live and attend classes in Manhattan or in Syracuse.
“The 161 high school seniors selected for the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Presidential Scholars represent the best of our nation’s schools and inspire hope in the bright future of this country,” said Education Secretary Miguel Cardona in a statement.
Kulviwat, 17, who earlier this year was named a finalist in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s most prestigious and well-known science competition, was stunned by Thursday's announcement.
“To be grouped in that cohort of really phenomenal individuals is inspiring and very impressive,” said Kulviwat, who will attend Harvard University in the fall. “And to be part of just 161 students is really an honor to me.”
Kulviwat’s Regeneron project investigated human brain tissue and found an abnormal increase in proteins that make up the blood-brain barrier in the brains of those who died by suicide. The blood-brain barrier breakdown, she found, could serve as an early biomarker for suicide. Kulviwat received $25,000 for reaching the finals.
Wang said she did not learn of the award until after she finished an AP exam Thursday afternoon.
“I'm really excited,” said Wang, 17, who is Garden City High School's salutatorian with a 102 GPA and plans to attend Cornell University's College of Engineering in the fall. “It's such a great honor to be a U.S. presidential scholar.”
Ann Pedersen, superintendent of the Lawrence Union Free School District, said the award was a testament to Watson's “hard work, dedication, and exceptional talent. She is a shining example of the high caliber of students we have in our district.”
Watson plans to study mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.
Of the roughly 3.7 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,700 presidential scholar candidates qualified for the 2024 awards, the Education Department said.
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects students to be honored based on their academic performance, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and commitment to community service and leadership. The federal program was created in 1964.
Two presidential scholars are selected from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and U.S. families living abroad. In addition, 15 students are chosen at large, along with 20 each for excellence in the arts and in career and technical education.
Badmus was selected as one of the 20 presidential scholars in the arts while Watson was one of 20 presidential scholars in career and technical education.
Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.
