Indian-American Teja Alapati, a senior from Huntsville, Alabama, has been named a 2011 United States Presidential Scholar by the U.S. Department of Education.
Alapati, a Hyderabad native, is one of just 121 high school seniors and only 16 Indians total nationwide to receive the country’s highest honor for demonstrating outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service and contribution to school and community.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars include 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. The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars appointed by President Obama selects the scholars 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.
"The U.S. Presidential Scholars exemplify what dedication to achievement and setting high standards can symbolize for all youth," U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. "The Department of Education congratulates these students on their artistic and academic accomplishments."
Established in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program symbolically recognizes scholastic achievement in graduating high school seniors with the highest potential. For the past 47 years, this prestigious program has honored more than 6,000 of the nation's top-performing, most distinguished students. Of the three million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 3,000 candidates initially qualified on the basis of outstanding performance on the College Board SAT or ACT exams.
Alapati received perfect scores on both the ACT and SAT college admission exams and was therefore automatically considered for entry.
The 2011 Scholars have already accomplished a great deal in their young lives. In addition to being a dedicated student, Alapati is a devoted athlete, musician, leader, volunteer, and interscholastic competitor. He is also a National Merit Scholar and a National AP Scholar. In the athletic arena, he has played tennis competitively at the varsity level and on the USTA state circuit for several years.
As a musician, he is an advanced level concert pianist. Still, a good portion of his time lies in the interscholastic academic competitions that he is heavily involved in; consequently, not only does he captain his school’s successful tennis team, but he also serves as the captain of its Science Bowl, Scholar’s Bowl, Science Olympiad, and math teams, leading them all to the state and national championships. In his spare time, Alapati tutors his peers and volunteers at local health care facilities.
Teja is the son of Dr. Anjaneyulu Alapati, a neurologist, and Dr. Vidya Alapati, a family practitioner. He is looking to pursue a career in medicine as well.
U.S. Presidential Scholars will be honored for their accomplishments at the White House, June 18-21.
