GSSM Senior named Semifinalist in U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM) is pleased to announce that graduating senior, Hamza Ahmed, has been named a semifinalist in the U.S. Presidential Scholarship Program. Ahmed, son of Javed and Faria Ahmed of Greenville, South Carolina, transferred to GSSM from Southside High School. Ahmed is involved with the GSSM Math Team, actively participates in student council, was the co-president of Youth in Government, serves as a GSSM Natural Helper and is the secretary of GSSM’s chapter of National Honors Society. Ahmed also plays on the varsity soccer and basketball teams and was recently named MVP of the 2015-16 basketball season. During the summer of 2015, through GSSM’s Research Experience Scholars Program, Ahmed completed extensive research on econophysics at the Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology in South Korea. He recently won first place for both his written and oral presentations at the South Carolina Junior Academy of Science meeting for this research in the consumer science category. Next year, Ahmed will attend Washington University in St. Louis to study biochemistry. Application to the U.S. Presidential Scholars program is by invitation only based on scores on the SAT or ACT exam or their nomination by a chief state school officer the year of their graduation from high school. U.S. Presidential Scholars receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., in June 2016 and the U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House, in commemoration of their achievements. During their visit to D.C., scholars have access to important national and international figures. Scholars are provided opportunities to wrestle with issues that concern America and the world, attend recitals, receptions and ceremonies held in their honor, and visit area museums and monuments.