Cathy Tang of Spring Valley High School named 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholar

Spring Valley High School senior Cathy Tang is receiving one of the highest honors for high school students. This week, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced the selection of Tang as a 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholar. Tang is one of two students in South Carolina to receive the honor and the only student in the Midlands.

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects 161 scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.

Of the 3.7 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,000 candidates qualified for the 2023 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT or ACT exams or through nominations made by chief state school officers, other partner recognition organizations and YoungArts, the National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists.

Each U.S. Presidential Scholar gets the opportunity to name his or her most influential teacher. The teacher chosen for recognition by Tang was Stephanie Thomas of Spring Valley High School. The Secretary of Education will honor Thomas as a distinguished teacher with a personal letter. The Presidential Scholars Class of 2023 will be recognized for their outstanding achievement this summer with an online recognition program.

Initially, Tang was one of seven candidates in Richland Two in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The other candidates were Nathaniel C. Cason, Richland Northeast High School; Ivy F. Boyd, Ridge View High School; Carson A. Aycock, Madison K. Han, Jacob A. Stoll and Sai Siddharth C. Thumsi of Spring Valley High School.