MADISON – Joshua Hugh Lin and Nikhita Sainaga Mudium of Madison have been named as two of the 625 semifinalists in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Lin is a senior at Bob Jones High School. Mudium is a senior at James Clemens High School.

In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson established the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program by executive order. The program recognizes and honors some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.

In 2020, Mudium was named a Semifinalist with the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Earlier this year, she earned a gold medal in the “Cultural Diversities & Disparities” category at the Health Occupations Students of America or HOSA Virtual State Leadership Conference.

This year, Lin earned first-place honors in the “Nutrition” category at the HOSA State Leadership Conference. He was recognized as a Semifinalist with National Merit Scholarship Program in 2020. Lin has performed as a star player with Madison City Chess League.

His probable career field will be neuroscience. Lin received a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship.

Mudium served as mentor of the award-winning James Clemens team in Exploravision, a national scientific contest that Toshiba Corporation and National Science Teachers Association sponsor.

Her probable career field will be neurology. Mudium received a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship.

For both Lin and Mudium, National Merit Scholarship Corporation contributed its own funds for their awards (instead of corporate donations).

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education. The program is described as “one of the nation’s highest honors for students” for American and global youth.

Each year, up to 161 students are named U.S. Presidential Scholars. The scholars represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in young people.

A student can become a Presidential Scholar based on three paths of accomplishment:

* Broad academic achievement.

* Academic and artistic scholarship in the visual arts, performing arts or creative writing.

* Outstanding scholarship and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.

Scores on SAT and ACT are a major consideration on selection of Presidential Scholars. Officials review test scores in each state; Evidence-Based Reading and Writing or ERW and Math SAT scores are compared to the ACT English, Reading and Math score.

Officials identify each student’s highest test score from the first three attempts. Scores of the top 20 male and the top 20 female examinees qualify candidates from each state and other jurisdictions.

Students can apply as a Presidential Scholar by invitation only.