The Class of 2024’s Karen Zhang has been named one of 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars by the Department of Education. The 161 high school seniors are selected based on their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields.
Karen will attend Princeton University to study computer and electrical engineering. As a Charger, she has been a member of the swim team and the robotics club, helped establish the nonprofit Mirukafei, received Scholastic Art Program awards for painting and drawing, and was the winner of the 2024 Math Department Book Award. Karen and a classmate designed the senior mosaic, and she is a recipient of the National Merit Battelle Scholarship.
Karen is “an exceptional student who is a powerhouse in every academic area,” says Dean of College Guidance Ralph Figueroa. “She is also a talented athlete, a leader in community service, and a truly creative artist, writer, and satirist with a wicked sharp sense of humor.”
Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored over 8,200 of the nation’s top-performing students. Of the 3.7 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,700 candidates qualified for the 2024 awards determined by outstanding academic performance or through nominations made by chief state school officers.
As directed by Presidential Executive Order, the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of two students from each state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 scholars in the arts, and 20 scholars in career and technical education.
English department faculty member Laura Matter was named a 2024 Distinguished Teacher through the same program.
A complete list of 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars is available here.
