Bryn Mawr Senior Named Presidential Scholar

Amna Hashmi, member of the Class of 2012, has been named a 2012 Presidential Scholar. She is one of only 141 graduating high school seniors across the country in the Class of 2012 —and one of only three from the state of Maryland—to receive this honor.

Amna, who matriculated at Harvard University attended Bryn Mawr since the third grade. In addition to her impressive scholarly achievements, she was a student-athlete, playing on the Varsity Squash and Tennis teams, the latter of which she was the captain. She also serveed as Yearbook Editor, Editor-in-Chief of the student newspaper The Quill, President of the Debate Club, Captain of the Academic Team, and sang with the selective Upper School choral group Dayseye.  Prior to receiving the Presidential Scholar honor, she was named a National Merit Scholar, and received a $2,500 scholarship for college.

“Amna is without question one of the finest students I have known in my 33 years of teaching,” said Headmistress Maureen E. Walsh. “In everything that she pursues, she brings a level of seriousness, enthusiasm and commitment. She is thoroughly deserving of this honor, and will make important contributions in the years to come.”

 Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is an incredible honor, and one of the highest bestowed on graduating high school seniors. From approximately 3.2 million graduating seniors, 3,000 candidates were selected for their exceptional performance on either the College Board SAT or the ACT Assessment. After candidates were announced, they were asked to submit essays, transcripts, information about activities they participate in, and additional scholastic and extracurricular information. Amna is the second Bryn Mawr student to be selected for this honor; Celia Bell, a graduate of the Class of 2009, was named a Presidential Scholar of the Arts in 2009.

Amna said that she was surprised to be selected as a candidate, and honored to be included. “I was very excited to find out that I had been nominated,” Hashmi said, when the candidates were announced in March. “I had not heard of many students being nominated, so it was a nice surprise."

The Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of 32 eminent citizens appointed by the President, made the final selection of the Scholars. Scholars were chosen on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in the community and school activities. The Commission chose one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. students living abroad; 15 students-at-large, as well as 20 students from the creative and performing arts.

In the future, Amna hopes to pursue a career in global health and health policy. She is the daughter of Drs. Tazeen and Shoaib Hashmi.