For the ninth straight year, an Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) student has been named a semifinalist in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, one of the most selective and prestigious recognition programs for high school seniors
Pranay Gadikota, a senior at Buchholz High School, is one of fewer than 630 semifinalists in the nation, 25 of them from Florida. He now joins the 16 other ACPS students who have been selected as semifinalists in the Presidential Scholars program in 14 of the last 15 years. Four of them have gone on to be selected as Scholars, which is an honor earned by no more than 161 students across the country each year. The program is run by the U.S. Department of Education and, according to information on its web site, “was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize and honor some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.”
Students are invited to apply for the program based on their high college entrance exam scores. To qualify they must complete a rigorous application process by submitting responses to several probing essay questions, self-assessments, details of their extra-curricular activities, community service and academic accomplishments.
In his application, Gadikota shared his difficulties in completing homework and other assignments in tenth grade, when he and his family were struggling with a family crisis brought on by his great-grandmother’s severe illness. Constant hospital visits, sleepless nights and other issues caused his grades to slip significantly.
“Asking for help from my parents and my teachers wasn’t something I was used to doing,” he said. “It was uncomfortable, but I had to get over that and just do it.”
With support from the staff at Buchholz and his family, Gadikota turned things around. He’s taken many Advanced Placement courses and earned high scores on rigorous AP exams. He’s a 2026 National Merit Finalist and is one of the school’s top graduating seniors.
“I have been incredibly impressed by Pranay’s growth over the last five years,” said Alex Payne, a science teacher who has taught Gadikota since he began taking courses at Buchholz while still in middle school. “His improvement and success are the result of his commitment to excellence and a willingness to challenge himself.”
Gadikota recently won a $70,000 scholarship from the Education Foundation, which will come in handy as he heads to Harvard University later this year. There he plans study neuroscience and ultimately become a doctor.
While Gadikota still considers caregiving his primary extracurricular activity, he is also active in his school’s music program and has achieved significant success with the Alachua County Youth Orchestra. He also volunteers to play violin at senior centers and nursing homes.
Gadikota’s mother Sreedevi Challa credits Buchholz High School principal Kevin Purvis and several other teachers for supporting him tough times.
“They were the real heroes,” she said. “Without all of them, he wouldn’t have be where he is today, on his way to Harvard. It is a miracle.”
Buchholz' Assistant Director of Music Steve Couch, whom Gadikota cites as one of his favorite teachers, says he's been an outstanding student, winning several musical awards and honors, including a solo performance at Carnegie Hall.
"Pranay has been an amazing addition to the Buchholz Music Department," said Couch. "We are incredibly proud of him, his accomplishments in music, and his dedication to his school."
Based on his experiences, Gadikota has done research about the best way to support young caregivers. He also has his own advice for them.”
“Go to someone who supports you and explain your situation,” he advises. “Don’t try to shoulder all your burdens alone, share them if you need to.”