‘Driven’ Tri-City valedictorian named Presidential Scholar semifinalist
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- Hanford High senior Lily Deng was named a U.S. Presidential Scholar semifinalist
- A panel of educators will help whittle 2026 applicants before final selections are made.
- Deng was earlier named a National Merit commended scholar for her PSAT performance.
A high school senior from Richland has been named a semifinalist for one of the nation’s “highest honors” for students.
Hanford High School senior Lily Deng was named this month one of 627 nationwide semifinalists to the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars program. In the coming months, a panel of educators will whittle down the applicants to just 161 students who will receive the coveted U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion.
She is the only Tri-City student in the running for this year’s program.
Principal Mike Johnson said Deng has distinguished herself “not only as an outstanding scholar and athlete, but also as a genuinely kind and compassionate leader.”
“Balancing the demands of being ASB President, graduating as a valedictorian, competing for four years as a state tennis qualifier, and staying involved in multiple clubs takes an incredible amount of dedication and work ethic,” Johnson told the Tri-City Herald in a statement.
“What stands out most about Lily, though, is her character. She is humble, driven, thoughtful, and someone who consistently makes the people around her better. We’re incredibly proud of her and excited to see all the great things ahead for her,” he continued.
Deng was also named a commended scholar by the National Merit Scholarship in September for her outstanding performance on the PSAT.
The Presidential Scholars program was established in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson to recognize and honor some of the nation’s brightest and most dedicated graduating seniors. Since its inception, the program has recognized more than 8,600 students.
Most are selected to apply based on their broad academic achievement, but the program also recognizes 20 on their artistic scholarship in the visual, written or performing arts, and another 20 for students’ accomplishments in career and technical education.
The program is incredibly competitive. While nearly 4 million high school seniors are expected to graduate this spring, just 5,000 — about one-tenth of 1% — will choose to apply. Students are offered applications by scoring high on the SAT or ACT.
Once selected as candidates, students submit school evaluations, transcripts, essays, proof of artistic or technical excellence, a self-assessment for review, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitments to high ideals. A review committee then evaluates each student application based on a cover essay as well as their academic achievements, personal character, leadership and service activities.
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars gives the final say on which students will receive the designation. The names will be announced by U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.
The last Tri-City seniors to earn a Presidential Scholar medallion were Southridge High School graduate Ashwin Joshi in 2024 and Kamiakin High School graduate Court Saunders in 2020.
