Two Louisiana high school students have been named 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars, an honor recognizing academic achievement, artistic and technical talent, leadership and community service.
Christine Tseng of Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies in Metairie represents Jefferson Parish. Aditiya Babbar, a student at Mandeville High School, represents St. Tammany Parish.
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects students based on academic performance, essays, school recommendations and evidence of leadership and community service. Students may qualify through SAT or ACT results or a nomination from a state chief school officer.
More than 6,700 students qualified for consideration from about 3.9 million graduating seniors, according to the U.S. Department of Education. The 2026 class includes 161 scholars, including students from every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. families living abroad, as well as at-large, arts and career and technical education scholars.
Each scholar will receive an engraved medallion. Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley congratulated Tseng and Babbar and recognized the educators who supported them.
