HCPSS Students Named Semifinalists in U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

June 4th, 2025

Five Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) students are among only 11 students statewide who have been named semifinalists in the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

The HCPSS students are:

• Rahul Kumar Goyal – River Hill High School
• Yehji Hwang – Centennial High School
• Kelly D. Liu – Marriotts Ridge High School
• Mehin A. Pandya – Mount Hebron High School
• Ryan Gui Zhou – Howard High School (Semifinalist for U.S. Presidential Scholar in Arts)

U.S. Presidential Scholars are selected on the basis of their accomplishments in many areas, such as academic and artistic achievement, career and technical education success, leadership, and school and community involvement.

Up to 161 students of the 621 semifinalists nationwide will be named U.S. Presidential Scholars by the U.S. Department of Education in the coming months. More information on the program can be found online.