Three MCPS graduating seniors were recognized this week as U.S. Presidential Scholars. They are among five scholars from the state of Maryland, and 161 across the country.

Maria Christina Hancu of Poolesville High School; Pranav Tadikonda of Richard Montgomery High School and Robert Wachen of Winston Churchill High School have been named U.S. Presidential Scholars. The students were chosen by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as community service, leadership and commitment to high ideals.

The honored students were asked to select their most influential teacher. 

Hancu chose Jordan White, English teacher at Shenendehowa High School (Clifton Park, N.Y.); Tadikonda chose Katherine Lin, chemistry teacher at Richard Montgomery; and Wachen selected Jonathan Lee, science teacher at Churchill.

See the list of U.S. Presidential Scholars.