PARSIPPANY — Sahaj Bhandari, who grew up in Parsippany and came up through its public schools, has been named a United States Presidential Scholar, one of the highest honors the nation gives to graduating high school students.
Bhandari is one of just 161 students across the country selected by the United States Department of Education for this year’s class.
He attended Northvail Elementary School and Central Middle School. He graduated from the Academy for Mathematics, Science and Engineering in Rockaway, a specialized program at Morris Hills High School, and is now an undergraduate at Cornell University.
The Presidential Scholars Program honors graduating seniors for academic achievement, artistic excellence, technical expertise, leadership, citizenship and service to their schools and communities. Of the roughly 3.9 million students who finished high school this year, more than 6,400 qualified as candidates, either through their SAT or ACT scores or by nomination from state education officials. Finalists are evaluated on their academic records, essays, school evaluations, transcripts, community service and leadership.
Each scholar is also invited to name the educator who most influenced their education. Bhandari chose Michael Bermel of the Academy for Mathematics, Science and Engineering, who will receive a personal letter of recognition from the United States Secretary of Education.
Created in 1964, the program has honored about 8,000 students. It was expanded in 1979 to include students with exceptional talent in the arts, and again in 2015 to recognize achievement in career and technical education.
To view the complete list of this year’s Presidential Scholars, click here.
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