FHS grad named 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholar
“I was honored to be chosen for this award,” said Bryantseva, who currently attends John Hopkins University in Maryland, where she is majoring in biomedical engineering. “It typically comes out in May of the year you graduate, so when it
was delayed, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
“But I was very happy and grateful that it did end up being released and organized,” she said. “It’s an incredible recognition, and I’m proud to represent Farragut High School and Tennessee at a national level.”
While the award does not come with a financial component, Bryantseva, daughter of Alla Akinina and Vyacheslav Bryantsev, said, “I value the honor itself.
“It highlights the importance of academic achievement and service, and it connects me to a small group of peers across the country who share a deep commitment to learning and leadership,” she added.
She plans to pursue a PhD degree, eventually running her own research lab.
“I’m especially interested in the biology of mRNA decay and how it influences haploinsufficiency disorders,” Bryantseva said. “My goal is to combine computational and experimental approaches to better understand how gene expression is regulated and ultimately to create work that advances science and has real implications for human health.”
She is one of 161 outstanding American high school graduates who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, technical expertise, leadership, citizenship, service and contribution to school and community,” a press release stated.
“Scholars are selected annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals,” it stated. “Of the 3.9 million students who graduated from high school this year, more than 6,400
candidates qualified for the 2025 awards determined by outstanding performance on the SAT or ACT exam or through nominations made by chief state school officers and partner recognition organizations.
“As directed by Presidential Executive Order, the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 Scholars in the arts, and 20 Scholars in career and technical education,” the press release stated. “Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored approximately 8,600 of the nation’s top-performing students.
“The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts,” it stated. “In 2015, the program again was extended to recognize
students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.
“Since 1983, each U.S. Presidential Scholar has been offered the opportunity to name his or her most influential teacher,” the release added. “Each distinguished teacher is honored with a personal letter from the Secretary of Education. The teacher chosen for recognition by Bryantseva was Matthew Wayne Milligan of Farragut High School.
