Alabama Indian American student named 2012 Presidential Scholar

By Kusum Singh

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Rakesh Goli of Birmingham is one of the two Alabama students named a 2012 U.S. Presidential Scholar, The U.S. Department of Education announced on May 2.
Goli is among 141 high school seniors nationwide chosen for the award, which is given to students for their outstanding academic achievements, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship and service to their schools and communities.
Rakesh attends The Altamont School in Birmingham. He is the valedictorian for the graduating class. He plans to attend The University of Pennsylvania. He is the son of Drs. Vasu and Prameela Goli.
Each Presidential Scholar can invite his or her most inspiring and challenging teacher to accompany him or her and receive a Teacher Recognition Award from the U.S. Department of Education. Rakesh named Ms. Pattie Bank, who teaches statistics, as his most influential teacher.
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, appointed by President Obama, selects honored scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.
Of the three million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 3,300 candidates qualified for the 2012 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams, and through nominations made by Chief State School Officers or the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts nationwide YoungArts™ competition.
The 2012 Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large and 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts.
The 2012 ceremony will be held June 16, when each honoree will receive a Presidential Scholar Medallion.

Rakesh Goli

College (Major): The University of Pennsylvania (Biology)

School Activities:

Varsity Tennis Team, Model United Nations, Spanish Club, Miree Leadership Center, Altamont Ambassador, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, The Altamont School Table Tennis Federation, Altamont Robotics Team

Hobbies:

Tennis, Table Tennis, Flag Football

Community Service:

MIST Academy, Princeton Baptist Hospital, Altamont Ambassador

Work:

Research Intern at Microbiology Lab in UAB with Dr. Asim Bej, Research Intern in Division of Cardiovascular Disease at UAB with Dr. Himanshu Gupta

Inspirational Teacher:

Mrs. Pattie Bank – She taught me in the summer of 4^th grade before I came to Altamont, as well as statistics during my junior year. Mrs. Bank is unique in that after 10 years at Altamont, she still cares about each and every student. I was amazed at the time she would spend after school answering questions. In class, she commanded genuine respect from every student, and I found myself studying every night not for a quiz or test, but simply to understand the material.

Accomplishment you are most proud of:

I was most proud of being named one of two Siemens State Winners for the Advanced Placement Award. During my sophomore and junior year, I had the chance to take 7 APs in a variety of different science and math disciplines, and it has really helped focus my career outlook moving forward.

One thing you hope to accomplish by age 30:

Regardless of what field I am pursuing by age 30, I hope that I will be able to help better the lives of those around me and make a true difference for future generations.
- Kusum Singh