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The Presidential Scholars will be honored for their accomplishments in Washington, D.C., from June 19-21. Each honoree will receive a Presidential Scholar Medallion.
Balla is one of 160 outstanding high school seniors, out of 689 semifinalists, being honored for demonstrating outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service and contribution to school and community.
“This is a tremendous honor for Tanu and for AITE. Tanu is truly one of those rare students who excels in everything she does,” said AITE Principal Tina Rivera. “Tanu has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average (5.0 weighted) since her freshman year, and although she was recognized for her outstanding achievement in the Project Lead the Way Biomedical Program, she could have just as easily been recognized for excellence in education or civic achievement.”
Balla, one of only three U.S. Presidential Scholars in Connecticut, was named a scholar in the category of Career and Technical Education.
"This year's class of Presidential Scholars continues a more than 50-year trend of honoring students who've shown excellence in their educational, artistic and civic pursuits," King said.
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, appointed by President Barack Obama, 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 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,600 candidates qualified for the 2016 awards, which are determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams, through nominations made by Chief State School Officers, other partner recognition organizations or the National YoungArts Foundation's nationwide YoungArts competition.
Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored nearly 7,000 of the nation's top-performing students with the award given to honorees during the annual ceremony in D.C.
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