Three Arizona high school students have been named as 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars this week. The scholars are, Sruti Peddi of Fountain Hills, who attends BASIS Charter in Scottsdale, Matteo N. Huish, a student at BASIS Charter in Mesa, and Scottsdale Chaparral High School student Vivian M. Saavedra.
The program recognizes high school seniors for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964. It has honored more than 8,000 top-performing students in the U.S. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students’ performance in the visual, literary and performing arts. In 2015, the program extended recognition to students in career and technical education fields.
“These three students represent the best of what Arizona’s public schools offer,” said Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne. “They have committed themselves to the pursuit of academic excellence, and their hard work has paid off by attaining the prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholarship.”
“This is Teacher Appreciation Week, and the accomplishments of these students remind us of the value of great teachers,” added Horne. “Every educator who had a role in influencing these scholars deserves a great deal of praise.”