Jordan High senior named Presidential Scholar
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dr. Bert L’Homme, Associate Superintendent Curriculum and Instruction, 560-3716DURHAM--Uma S. Tadepalli, a Jordan High School senior, has been named a Presidential Scholar by the United States Department of Education.
Uma is one of only 137 students nationwide to receive the prestigious designation, and one of 16 to be recognized specifically for her accomplishments in the arts. Uma will travel to Washington next month to be honored at a recognition ceremony, receiving a Presidential Scholar medallion at the White House.
"I feel incredibly honored being named a Presidential Scholar," said Uma. "To be considered as part of this fine group of extraordinarily talented artists is surreal."
Uma has been involved with Indian Classical Dance for nearly 12 years. She has performed and lectured throughout the United States and abroad to promote cultural outreach through the arts. She is also an accomplished flutist and has won the Concerto Competition with the Durham Symphony and the Governor’s School Wind Ensemble.
Having worked as a Howard Hughes Scholar in a genetics laboratory at Duke University, Uma plans to study molecular biology. She will attend Princeton University in the fall.
The United States Presidential Scholars Program awards one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students. It was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors, and was extended in 1979 to recognize students in the visual, creative and performing arts.
"Uma Tadepalli serves as a great source of inspiration for her peers and for those who will follow her," said Superintendent Ann T. Denlinger. "We are extremely proud of this talented young woman for being named a Presidential Scholar and wish her every success in the future."
###
