Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include candidates from additional schools and will be updated again as more information from St. Croix becomes available.
V.I. seniors — Tanmay Totwani of Antilles School, Zia Zucker of the Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy, and Dax Chouiniere of the Gifft Hill School— are among those named as candidates for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, placing them among thousands of high-achieving students nationwide invited to apply for one of the country’s highest honors for graduating seniors.
Established in 1964, the program recognizes students not only for exceptional SAT or ACT performance but also for leadership, service, academic achievement, character and artistic accomplishment. Candidates now submit essays, transcripts, recommendations and records of their activities before a national review panel selects semifinalists, with up to 161 scholars ultimately chosen.
At Antilles, Head of School Shannon Harris said Totwani’s recognition reflects the curiosity and commitment he has shown throughout his time on campus. “At Antilles, we encourage students to explore widely and take ownership of their learning. Tanmay has truly embraced that journey — investing deeply in his passions, challenging himself academically, and, perhaps most meaningfully, sharing his knowledge with others. His growth has also been nurtured by a strong circle of support — from his family and from the teachers who have guided and stretched him along the way. We are incredibly proud of Tanmay and congratulate him on this well-earned recognition.”
Totwani said he was both surprised and excited to learn he had been named a candidate. At Antilles, he has immersed himself in music — performing, creating and recently taking the stage with the school’s jazz band — while also spending time working with younger students to help them understand new concepts. That experience, he said, has reshaped how he approaches his own learning.
“I really enjoy teaching other people things,” Totwani said. “It helps me understand it better because I have to think about it in a new light — from their perspective. And I just feel good helping other people learn.”
As he prepares his application essays, Totwani said he is reflecting less on accolades and more on the experiences that shaped his time at Antilles — friendships built through music, mentoring younger students and the quiet work of leadership. His advice to younger students is simple: “Find things you’re passionate about and use that passion to carry you through the things you might not be as excited about.”
At V.I. Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy, Head of School Gloria Arpasi said Zucker’s recognition reflects years of determination and growth as a student.
“It has been my esteemed honor to watch Zia Zucker grow from a young, curious Montessori child to a beaming, mature, capable, and motivated International Baccalaureate graduate. The indelible impact that she will have on our community, both locally and internationally, will be inked with kindness, compassion and undaunted problem solving. She is the type of young Virgin Island leader who leaves us feeling proud, confident and optimistic for the future ahead. Zia’s incredible achievements did not come easily. It took years of determination and hard work, including the resilience and motivation she needed to make the two-hour trek to school every morning from the east end of St. John. Zia fills us with pride, and we are so excited to see where she goes from here.”
Zucker said many of her proudest accomplishments center on creating opportunities for other students in the territory. She helped partner to host and chair an interscholastic Model United Nations conference on island for students unable to attend off-island events, cofounded her school’s Mu Alpha Theta chapter to provide tutoring support and volunteers with CoCoRaHS, which partners with NOAA to collect citizen weather data. She also serves as co-captain of her school’s sailing team.
Looking back, Zucker said her sister helped shape her path, along with the daily commute between the East End of St. John and St. Thomas. “I was definitely a bit shocked when I learned that I was a candidate, but I’m of course super grateful for this opportunity,” Zucker said. “Regardless of if I advance, I’m incredibly proud of my fellow candidates and wish them all the very best.”
At Gifft Hill School on St. John, Head of School Liz Kinsella said Chouiniere’s selection reflects the qualities he has demonstrated throughout his academic career.
“Dax’s selection as a Presidential Scholar candidate is a reflection of the curiosity, integrity, and dedication he brings to his academics,” Kinsella said. “It’s been a privilege to see him embrace the challenges of our academic program and make the most of the opportunities and support that we offer. We are so proud of the way he represents the GHS community, and we look forward to seeing the impact he will continue to make beyond graduation.”
Chouiniere said he was surprised to learn he had been named a candidate, calling the recognition both humbling and motivating.
“I’m proud of my academic achievements throughout my academic career,” Chouiniere said. “I’ve always chased extra rigor and knowledge.”
He is also active in his school community, serving as a member of the National Honor Society and GHS’s Identity, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability Club, and previously participating in student council while chairing his class’s Senior Trip fundraising board.
Outside the classroom, Chouiniere said one of the experiences he values most has been his involvement with the Love City Pan Dragons. He joined the group in 2017 and now serves as tenor section leader.
“The band has grown tremendously, and it’s been wonderful to be a part of that growth,” he said. “I deeply appreciate all the experience, friends, and knowledge the Pan Dragons has given me, and I feel that music is a very important complement to education.”
Looking back on his path, Chouiniere said attending Gifft Hill School since early childhood has played a defining role in shaping his interests and goals.
“Gifft Hill has helped me tailor my education to what interests me most and has provided extraordinary opportunities I don’t think I could get anywhere else,” he said. “The teachers at GHS have helped me to a great extent, taking the extra time to ensure I understand and will succeed, even for matters outside of the classroom.”
Chouiniere said seeing his name listed alongside other top seniors across the Virgin Islands and the mainland United States has been a meaningful moment.
“Seeing my name placed among other top seniors from the Virgin Islands and the continental U.S. is both humbling and deeply motivating,” he said. “I wish all the other candidates the best as we move through the selection process.”
Applications for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program are reviewed this spring by a national panel of educators, who will select approximately 600 semifinalists. The Commission on Presidential Scholars will then choose up to 161 students to receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion, with final selections announced by the U.S. Department of Education later this year.
