Two of the four Maryland high school seniors honored as 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars attend Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville.
Maximilian P. Belyantsev and Angelina Xu are among 161 seniors selected by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars. The winners are the country’s top performers in academics, art and career and technical education fields.
Xu is president of the Maryland Association of Student Councils. She is in her school’s International Baccalaureate program and has been a countywide champion for her school’s debate team. She was class treasurer.
She co-founded Compostology, a youth-led non-profit dedicated to implementing school composting and food recovery programs across Maryland.
Belyantsev is a 2023 Coolidge Senator who plans to attend Columbia University. He also is part of his school’s International Baccalaureate program. He is editor of the school paper and founder and author of
The students will be awarded the U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion each June.
“We could not be more proud that four of our state’s brightest students have achieved this prestigious honor,” said Dr. Carey M. Wright, State Superintendent of Schools. “Our scholars exemplify excellence in Maryland public education.”
Thirteen Maryland students were semifinalists this year.
Congratulations to Marylanders Angelina Xu, Mingni L. Dong, Maximilian P. Belyantsev, and Minaal A. Khwaja on being named Presidential Scholars!
You make our state proud. We know you will continue to do great things and lift others as you climb.
— Governor Wes Moore (@GovWesMoore) May 10, 2024
