Buchholz student named presidential scholar semifinalist

Buchholz senior Pranay Gadikota was recently named a semifinalist in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Courtesy of ACPS

Key Points

For the ninth year in a row, an Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) student has been named a semifinalist in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, one of the nation’s most selective and prestigious recognition programs for high school seniors.

Pranay Gadikota, a senior at Buchholz High School, is one of less than 630 semifinalists in the U.S., 25 of whom are from Florida, according to an ACPS press release.

The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Education and “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.”

Gadikota was invited to apply for the program based on his high college entrance exam scores. He then had to go through a rigorous application process that included submitting responses to multiple probing essay questions, self-assessments, details of his extra-curricular activities, community service and academic achievements.

In his application, Gadikota shared his challenges in completing homework and other assignments in 10th 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,” Gadikota said in the release. “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 several Advanced Placement (AP) courses and earned high scores on rigorous AP exams.

Gadikota is also a 2026 National Merit Finalist and one of Buchholz’s top graduating seniors, the release said.

“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, in the release. “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, Gadikota plans to 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 Principal Kevin Purvis and several other teachers for supporting her son in tough times.

“They were the real heroes,” she said in the release. “Without all of them, he wouldn’t have be where he is today, on his way to Harvard. It is a miracle.”

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 said. “Don’t try to shoulder all your burdens alone, share them if you need to.”

Gadikota joins 16 other ACPS students who have been selected as semifinalists in the Presidential Scholars program in 14 of the last 15 years. Four ACPS students have been recognized as Presidential Scholars, which, the release said, is a feat earned by no more than 161 students throughout the nation each year.