The U.S. Department of Education announced its 2022 class of Presidential Scholars Thursday, and two Chapel Hill residents are among the 161 honorees from across the country. Benjamin Brown Knight, a student at Chapel Hill High School, and Dheepthi Mohanraj, a student at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, were two of North Carolina’s three honorees this year. Each are seniors at their respective schools.

“Our 2022 Presidential Scholars represent the best of America, and remind us that when empowered by education, there are no limits to what our young people can achieve,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “Today, I join President Biden to celebrate a class of scholars whose pursuit of knowledge, generosity of spirit, and exceptional talents bring our nation tremendous pride.”

Approximately 3.7 million students will graduate from high school this year, and more than 5,000 of them qualified as Presidential Scholar candidates. They were chosen by performances on standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT, as well as outside nominations from organizations such as the National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists.

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars chooses the winners “based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as a demonstrated commitment to community service and leadership,” according to the Department of Education.

This year’s group of Presidential Scholars will be honored this summer with an online recognition program.

 

Featured image via The Daily Tar Heel/Matherly Collins

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