Sivaram (Siva) Emani from Newton, MA was named a 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholar from Massachusetts. The prestigious award is considered to be the nation’s highest academic honor for a graduating high school senior. This year approximately 5,100 high school seniors were nominated as candidates by the U.S. Department of Education from over 3.5 million graduating students, out of whom 161 winning scholars were chosen by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars. The scholar selection was based on outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service and contribution to school and community.

“Today's Presidential Scholars are tomorrow's leaders, and I am confident they will continue to be shining examples as they enter the next phase of their academic careers," said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.  Each scholar will be honored in June with a Presidential Medallion at a ceremony in Washington DC. Siva Emani is one of approximately 15 high school seniors of South Asian descent who were awarded this honor in 2017.

Siva is a senior at The Roxbury Latin School and will be attending Harvard University in the fall. Throughout his high school years he has undertaken several leadership roles including captain of the school varsity tennis team, president of debate team, vice president of Model UN, founder and president of the science club, Co-Editor of the school newspaper, and member of school acapella group.  Siva is a passionate violinist in Carnatic Music style, which he has been learning from Sri K.V.S. Vinay for over 6 years.  Siva attributes his accomplishments to his family, teachers and mentors in and outside of school.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

SIVARAM EMANI OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS NAMED 2017 U.S. PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced the selection of Sivaram Emani of Newton, Massachusetts, who attends The Roxbury Latin School in West Roxbury, as a 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholar.

Emani is one of 161 outstanding American high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community. The U.S. Presidential Scholars will be honored for their accomplishments in Washington D.C., from June 18-20.

"I congratulate this year's class of Presidential Scholars for their devotion to academic excellence and their parents and teachers who have guided them along the way,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. “Today's Presidential Scholars are tomorrow's leaders, and I am confident they will continue to be shining examples as they enter the next phase of their academic careers.”

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects honored scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals. Of the 3.5 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,100 candidates qualified for the 2017 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams, and through nominations made by Chief State School Officers, other partner recognition organizations or the National YoungArts Foundation’s nationwide YoungArtsTM competition.

The 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, and 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education.

Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored more than 7,000 of the nation’s top-performing students with the prestigious award given to honorees during the annual ceremony in D.C. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.

Since 1983, each U.S. Presidential Scholar has been offered the opportunity to name his or her most influential teacher. Each distinguished teacher is honored with a personal letter from the Secretary of Education.

The teacher chosen for recognition by Emani was Peter Hyde of The Roxbury Latin School in West Roxbury, Massachusetts.

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