Cade Brumley, Superintendent | Louisiana Department of Education
Two high school students from Louisiana have been named 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars, an honor awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to some of the nation’s top graduating seniors. The program recognizes students for academic achievement, artistic excellence, and accomplishments in career and technical education.
The recipients from Louisiana are Vaishnavi Kumbala of Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies in Metairie and Nicholas “Nick” White of Isidore Newman School in New Orleans.
Kumbala graduated as valedictorian with a 4.92 GPA and participated in several leadership roles, including serving on the Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council, the Louisiana Behavioral Health Advisory Council, and FEMA’s National Youth Preparedness Council.
White was recognized for his achievements in academics, arts, and athletics. He is a National Merit Commended student, AP Scholar, member of the Newman Cum Laude Society, recipient of the Faculty Award for Scholarship, and earned top honors on the National Latin Exam.
"Presidential Scholar is one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students," according to the announcement.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by Executive Order to honor distinguished graduating high school seniors across the United States. Each year, up to 161 students are selected through a competitive review process by the Commission on Presidential Scholars. Since its inception more than six decades ago, over 8,000 students have received this recognition for their scholarship, leadership, and service.
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