U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced Mililani High School Class of 2025 graduate Leesa Takara as one of two Hawai‘i U.S. Presidential Scholars. (The other scholar was enrolled in a Hawai‘i private school.) The 2025 class recognized a total of 161 high school seniors nationwide for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields. 

A total of six Hawai‘i students, which included three Hawai‘i public school seniors, were selected as semifinalists (PDF). 

“We are incredibly proud of Leesa for being recognized as a U.S. Presidential Scholar, one of the nation’s most distinguished honors for high school students,” Hawai‘i State Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “This achievement is a testament to her dedication and excellence, and it reflects the strong foundation built through her Hawai‘i public school education. We celebrate Leesa, her family, and Mililani High School as she continues to pursue her goals in postsecondary education.”

While at Mililani High School, Leesa was involved in robotics, student government, Science Club, the Japanese Honor Society, the National Honor Society, the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, and also interned and volunteered with various community organizations. She graduated from Mililani High School as valedictorian and received her associate’s degree in natural science with a concentration in information and computer science through dual enrollment at Leeward Community College. Leesa currently attends Purdue University and is pursuing a dual degree in engineering and applied statistics. 

Mililani High School Principal Fred Murphy said the school is celebrating Leesa’s achievement as a Presidential Scholar. He recognized the pride that her family has in her academic success — especially her father, who is a math teacher at the feeder middle school. 

Of the 3.9 million students that graduated from high school in 2025, more than 6,400 candidates qualified for the 2025 award based on outstanding performance on the SAT or ACT exam, or nominations made by chief state school officers and partner recognition organizations.

Since 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored over 8,600 of the nation’s top-performing students. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.

Two students from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. families living abroad are selected as U.S. Presidential Scholars. The slate honored today includes an additional 15 scholars chosen at-large, 20 scholars in the arts, and 20 scholars in career and technical education.

A complete list of 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars is available at http://www.ed.gov/psp.