Academy graduate and Stanford first-year student Aarush Tutiki ’26 has been named a 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholar — one of just 161 students nationwide chosen for this prestigious honor.
Aarush is a first-year student at Stanford University studying physics, math, and international politics. During his time as a Charger, Aarush was involved in myriad activities, including DECA, chess, speech and debate, MathCounts, and science fair.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of President Lyndon B. Johnson, to recognize and honor some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.
In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.
The Scholars represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in young people. In honoring the U.S. Presidential Scholars, the President of the United States symbolically honors all graduating high school seniors of high potential.
The majority of the Scholars are selected on the basis of broad academic achievement. Approximately 4,000 general program candidates are identified based on SAT and ACT scores. Application is by invitation only; therefore, students may not apply individually to the Program, nor may their schools nominate them.
Academy math department member David Metzler was named a 2026 Distinguished Teacher through the same program.
The complete list of 2026 Presidential Scholars is available here.
