Zhao ’26 Named U.S. Presidential Scholar Semifinalist

Choate Rosemary Hall celebrates the selection of Alex Zhao ’26 as a semifinalist for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. He is one of 627 students nationwide selected as a semifinalist from a pool of approximately 4,000 high-achieving students. In the coming months, the Commission on Presidential Scholars will review Alex's accomplishments and those of his fellow semifinalists as they determine the final group of students who will receive the distinction of being named a U.S Presidential Scholar.

"It is a great honor and an exceptional accomplishment to have reached the semifinalist phase in this highly selective and prestigious program," a letter from the U.S. Department of Education reads. "The achievements of these outstanding students deserve acknowledgment.

Prior to being named a semifinalist, Alex was one of 10 Wild Boars to earn the distinction of being named one of the approximately 4,000 candidates for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, including Lily Honney ’26, Alexandros Antonopoulos ’26, Jiaxuan (Bryan) Liang ’26, Deyi Meng ’26, Alex Yuan ’26, Paul (Tripp) S. Madill III ’26, Elias Starr ’26, Isabelle L. Marvin ’26, and Jason S. Chang ’26. Each student within this group extends a growing Choate legacy of Wild Boars who have been identified by the Commission on Presidential Scholars as outstanding leaders both in and out of the classroom.

As a four-year boarding student, Alex has had a profound impact on his peers, coaches, advisers, deans, and teachers. Between playing violin, being the captain of the Choate Rosemary Hall Varsity Ultimate Frisbee Team, and taking an array of honors courses, he still finds time to give back through community service and serve as a leader of the Math Team and the Physics Club. Along the way, he's appeared on the Deans' List 11 times and earned several awards, including the Choate Rosemary Hall Award for Outstanding Accomplishment and Genuine Interest in Physics, and Kiran Reddy Pendri '06 Award for Excellence in Advanced Study of Mathematics.

His hard work, commitment to excellence, and contributions to School life are exemplary. For more than 60 years, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored over 8,000 U.S. Presidential Scholars, who have demonstrated leadership, scholarship, and contribution to school and community, and Alex stands poised to carry forward that tradition of distinction among the nation’s most accomplished students as a semifinalist.

Photo Credit: Joseph M. Avena is a Digital Content Producer at Choate Rosemary Hall, bringing expertise in content creation and community engagement.

Editorial Credit: Ryan Shepard '14 is the Manager of Editorial Services at Choate Rosemary Hall, bringing 10+ years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and content strategy.