Carmel High School has had a number of students selected as U.S. Presidential Scholars, a national designation awarded annually to two seniors in every state. This year, CHS had the rare distinction of being the home of both Hoosier honorees.
On May 10, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced the 59th class of scholars, which includes recent CHS graduates Archit Kalra and Amogha Paleru. They were selected from among 5,000 students nationally who qualified for the honor this year.
The U.S Presidential Scholars program was created in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson to honor some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating students. The award is presented to one male and one female student in each state for academic success. Other students may be honored for achievements in the arts or career and technical fields (Bayan Yunis of Fort Wayne is a 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholar in Arts).
Kalra, 17, said he was shocked to learn he had been selected as a Presidential Scholar.
“I felt honored to be a part of that,” he said. “The notion that we’ve been recognized for some of the work we’ve done is very gratifying to hear.”
Kalra enjoys studying biology and has a special interest in outer space. One of his Presidential Scholar application essays focused on stardust, which he said sources all things. The concept helps him feel grounded and connected to everyone.
“There are some inherent qualities that we all share that are similar,” Kalra said. “That’s just a further push towards recognizing we have much more in common than we have different.”
Kalra will attend Yale University to study neuroscience and economics. He plans to become a neurosurgeon.
“I want to make sure whatever I do leaves an impact on the community,” Kalra said.
Besides academics, Kalra said he enjoys playing chess and Scrabble with his little brother and spending time with family. He performs at cultural events with a dance group he formed with his friends.
Amogha Paleru, 18, said she had never heard of the Presidential Scholar program before learning she was a candidate for it. After learning more about it, she decided to apply for the distinction.
She was taking an exam when the winners were announced and learned she had earned the honor when a friend congratulated her.
“I was like, ‘For what?’” Paleru said. “Then I went and looked at my email and I saw. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh. Wow.’”
Outside of the classroom, Paleru enjoys the classical Indian dance, Bharatanatyam. She has been dancing for 10 years with the Natyalaya School of Arts. She also likes to bake. Academically, Paleru enjoys studying human biology and public health.
As the daughter of a doctor, Paleru had an interest in medicine before high school. Her interest led her to a Biomedical Pathways course where she discovered a passion for public health. She wants to continue learning about how different aspects of a person’s life affect their overall health.
“I thought that was something really incredible,” Paleru said. “(It is) something our current healthcare system overlooks. I think those areas in conjunction with clinical medicine or research are going to be the most important factors in improving our health care system.”
Paleru will attend Stanford University where she will study human biology and public policy. She plans to pursue a career in clinical medicine.
Learn more about the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program and see a full list of winners at www2.ed.gov/programs/psp/index.html.
Well represented
Since 2010, 10 students who live or attend school in Carmel have been named U.S. Presidential Scholars. They are:
- 2010 – Michael L. Wang, Carmel High School
- 2012 – Rebecca S. Chen, Park Tudor School; Shea S. Jendrusina, CHS
- 2013 – James Y. Wang, University High School
- 2014 – Daniel Y. Fu, Park Tudor School
- 2016 – Cynthia D. Yue, CHS
- 2017 – Michael C. Wang, CHS; Elise H. Zaniker, UHS
- 2021 – Zoe Edwards, CHS
- 2022 – Kevin Wang, CHS
