MISSOURI CITY (TIP): Shreya Bhadriraju, an Indian-American teen is among 60 students in the US who have been nominated for the 2017 Presidential Scholars program for exemplifying academic and artistic excellence. A student of Elkins High School in Missouri City, Texas, Shreya is among the Arts nominees announced by The National YoungArts Foundation on January 31 for the 2017 US Presidential Scholars.

Modeled after National YoungArts Week, the organization’s signature program held annually in Miami. YoungArts’ regional programs offer life-changing experiences, guidance and support to YoungArts Winners nationwide through interdisciplinary workshops, seminars and master classes with renowned leaders in their fields. This year, 691 emerging artists (ages 15-18 or grades 10-12) from 42 states were selected as YoungArts Winners for their outstanding work and accomplishments across the literary, visual, design and performing arts. Regional programs are open to Winners from all award levels-Finalist, Honorable Mention and Merit-and will take place in Miami, Los Angeles and New York in February, March and April, respectively, with opportunities to engage with local audiences in their communities.

“YoungArts’ regional programs bring together some of the nation’s most valuable cultural and educational institutions to support our nation’s next generation of artists,” said Carolina García Jayaram, President and CEO of the National YoungArts Foundation. “We are especially proud to announce a new partnership with the CAP UCLA, which makes real the vision to expand our reach across the country, and provide many more aspiring artists with the collaborative and career-building experiences that define YoungArts.”

During the program, all Scholars receive a Presidential Medallion presented on behalf of the US President and participate in several recognition activities.