Updated 5/13/2021 5:47 PM
A Fremd High School senior bound for Harvard University in the fall was named Thursday one of only three 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars in Illinois.
Pavan Venkatesh Pandurangi of Palatine. who plans to major in computer science at Harvard, believes it was his recent work in that field that made him stand out in consideration for the academic honor.
Pavan developed an algorithm that can help diagnose malaria. He thinks the challenges of the independent research required during the pandemic year were recognized as much as the successful outcome.
Had the project occurred any other year, it likely would have been linked to a university and had other supportive connections that would have made the work easier, Pavan said.
2 Chicago area students selected as 2021 Presidential Scholars
By FOX 32 Digital Staff
Published
The Presidential Scholars Program medal.
CHICAGO - Two Chicago area high school seniors are among 161 students from across the nation who have been named 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars.
Louis Peacemaker Mukama, of Chicago, and Pavan Venkatesh Pandurangi, of Palatine, were named in the 57th class on Thursday, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Education. The 2021 Presidential Scholars represent extraordinary achievements for our extraordinary times, said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. I am delighted to join President Biden in saluting these outstanding young people for their achievements, service, character and continued pursuit of excellence.