Two Montgomery County Public Schools graduates are among three recent Maryland high school graduates named 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars, an annual honor recognizing some of the nation’s top-performing students.
Cooper Liu Li, a graduate of Montgomery Blair High School, and Grace E. Li, a graduate of Richard Montgomery High School, were selected for the honor alongside Chelsea I. Sun, a graduate of Atholton High School in Howard County.
“These students represent the best and brightest in Maryland,” State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey M. Wright said. “This honor not only recognizes their academic achievements, but the dedication of educators and the support of their families and school communities.”
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has recognized distinguished graduating high school seniors since 1964. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students demonstrating exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts, and again in 2015 to honor achievement in career and technical education.
The 2026 Maryland honorees are:
• Cooper Liu Li: Montgomery Blair High School, Montgomery County Public Schools
• Grace E. Li: Richard Montgomery High School, Montgomery County Public Schools
• Chelsea I. Sun: Atholton High School, Howard County Public School System
