KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Dobyns-Bennett High School seniors Chandni Bhat, Caleb Buell, and Ryan Herzog have been named among 4,500 candidates in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, competing with top high school students nominated across the country. Chandni Bhat is the daughter of Sunny Bhat and Kanchan Kaushik, Caleb Buell is the son of Gregory and Audra Buell, and Ryan Herzog is the son of Jeff and Shelly Herzog.

"It is an honor to have three students identified as Presidential Scholar nominees,” said Dr. Chris Hampton, Dobyns-Bennett High School Principal. “This is the highest academic honor for a high school senior and I am confident Chandni, Caleb and Ryan will represent Dobyns-Bennett and Kingsport with great character and class as they progress through this prestigious competition."

Established in 1964 by executive order of the President, the program recognizes and honors the nation's most distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments in academic success, leadership, and service to school and community. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrated exceptional talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was expanded once again to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical fields. Annually, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.

Application is by invitation only. Students are invited to apply based on their scores on the SAT or ACT exam or their nomination by a Chief State School Officer, the year of their graduation from high school, and whether they are U.S. Citizens or Legal Permanent U.S. Residents. Students who qualify will automatically receive applications. Applicants are narrowed to 600 semifinalists and then ultimately determined to be a recipient or not.  Important milestones for remaining steps of the selection process include nominees completing the national Presidential Scholars application (February), semi-finalists being announced (April), and national winners being announced (May).

Students chosen as U.S. Presidential Scholars receive an all expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in June for National Recognition Weekend featuring various events, enrichment activities and culminating in the presentation of the Presidential Scholars Medallion during a White House sponsored ceremony. During their visit, Scholars have access to important national and international figures, including government officials, educators, authors, musicians, scientists, and other accomplished people.

For more information about the Presidential Scholars program, please contact the Dobyns-Bennett High School Counseling Office at (423) 378.8409 or www.ed.gov/psp.

Kingsport City Schools (KCS) is a public school district located in Kingsport, Tenn., serving students in Sullivan and Hawkins county. The district is comprised of 13 schools, including a Pre-K, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, a high school program of choice and an alternative learning program; with total enrollment over 7,600 students. The vision of Kingsport City Schools is to Inspire. Cultivate. Impact.

For more information on KCS, visit k12k.com, listen live on WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of KCS, read our blog, We Are KCS, download our mobile app for Apple / Android devices or call (423) 378.2100. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook (Kingsport City Schools), Twitter (@KCS_District), Instagram (@kcs_district), LinkedIn (Kingsport City Schools) and check out our YouTube Channel (KPTSchools).

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