North Allegheny senior is Presidential Scholars nominee

Natalie Beneviat
Monday, March 21, 2022 12:00 a.m. | Monday, March 21, 2022 12:00 a.m.

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Courtesy of Tejaswini Prasanna

Tejaswini “Tejas” Prasanna of McCandless, a senior at North Allegheny High School, is a nominee for the 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars program.

North Allegheny senior Tejaswini “Tejas” Prasanna was named a nominee for the 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

She is one of 5,000-plus candidates, selected from nearly 3.6 million students set to graduate this year. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities, according to the U.S Department of Education.

Prasanna, of McCandless, has participated in Western Pennsylvania Regional Science Bowl competitions and Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering fairs. She plays clarinet in the North Allegheny Marching Band and has played the piano for more than 12 years, winning six awards in that instrument.

Prasanna, 17, volunteers in the Women and Infants Department at the Allegheny Health Network’s Wexford hospital. She is an unpaid intern at Medicine Encompassed, a nonprofit that provides opportunities in STEAM and medicine for underprivileged and under-served students.

She works as a researcher in the genetics department and an editor in the immunology department.

“In my free time, I love baking, reading, or spending time with my little sisters,” she said.

She earned a Certificate of Merit from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for high standardized test scores and was named a Commended Scholar by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for her score on the PSAT, Prasanna said.

She won a sponsorship award for her vermicomposting project at the Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair.

Prasanna said she hopes to attend college, preferably at the University of Pittsburgh or Case Western Reserve University. Afterward, she hopes to attend medical school to become a doctor, possibly a pediatrician.

A panel of educators will select approximately 600 Presidential Scholars semifinalists in early April. The Commission on Presidential Scholars will select the finalists, and the U.S. Department of Education will announce them in May.