Two Kealakehe High School graduates earn prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholars honor

Daniel Chen and Zachariah Smith make history as the first two students from the same Hawaiʻi public school to be recognized as U.S. Presidential Scholars in the same year.

Chen and Smith, both graduates of Kealakehe High School’s class of 2026, were among 161 high school seniors nationwide chosen for their achievements in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields. A total of nine Hawaiʻi students, including six from public schools, were selected as semifinalists.

“Having two Hawaiʻi Island students earn this prestigious national recognition is an incredible achievement and a proud moment for the entire Kealakehe High School community,” said Hawaiʻi State Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi. “Daniel and Zachariah have distinguished themselves among the nation’s brightest students, demonstrating the talent, potential and opportunities that exist in our Hawaiʻi public schools.”

Both students graduated from Kealakehe High School in May as valedictorians and completed the school’s STEM Academy program. They are now pursuing engineering degrees, with Chen attending Yale University and Smith attending Rice University.

During their time at Kealakehe High, both Chen and Smith earned numerous academic and technical honors, including awards at the Hawaiʻi State Science and Engineering Fair, medals at the state SkillsUSA competition, and national recognition through the CTE Momentum program.

They were also members of the school’s Tiki Techs robotics team, which qualified for multiple FIRST Robotics Competition world championships, and earned industry-recognized credentials in manufacturing, workplace safety, and engineering.

Beyond their academic accomplishments, both students demonstrated leadership and a commitment to their community, serving as project leaders for Kona STEM Camp and helping introduce younger students to science, technology, and engineering.

Individually, Chen earned national recognition through the NASA TechRise Student Challenge, served as captain of the school’s CyberPatriot Platinum Division team, and received a national Model United Nations award.

Smith qualified for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, participated in NASA’s Human Exploration Rover Challenge, and was selected as a San Diego Zoo Native Hawaiian bird genomics scholar.

Kealakehe High School Principal Kori Takaki praised both students for their academic excellence, technical accomplishments, and commitment to supporting their peers.

“Earning this level of recognition is a historic moment for our school and our entire West Hawaiʻi community,” Takaki said. “Beyond their national accolades and credentials, Daniel and Zachariah have consistently invested in the next generation… they serve as a powerful reminder to all of our students that world-class potential starts right here at home.”

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars identifies honorees through a rigorous selection process, evaluating academic excellence, artistic and technical talent, essays, school recommendations, and evidence of leadership and community service.

This year, out of 3.9 million graduating high school seniors, more than 6,700 candidates qualified for consideration based on outstanding performance on the College Board SAT or ACT exams, or nominations by chief state school officers.

Since its inception in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored approximately 8,800 of America’s top-performing students. The program expanded in 1979 to recognize artistic excellence and, in 2015, to celebrate achievements in career and technical education.

Each member of the 2026 class will receive an engraved U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion, symbolizing their extraordinary accomplishments and bright futures. A complete list of the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars is available here.