Nine students of South Asian origin, most of them Indian Americans, are among the Presidential Scholars for the year 2002.

One of them is Neha Mehta from New York.

Daughter of Dr. Swati Mehta, Neha Mehta is a National Merit Scholar finalist and an AP Scholar with honors. She is a four-time Gold Medalist in the National Latin exam.

She is Seimens-Westinghouse Talent Search semifinalist.

She won the fourth place in 2001, and third place in 2002 Intel ISEF in Zoology.

She has participated in the Columbia University Honors Program.

She was a Gavel winner at the University of Pennsylvania Model Congress program.

The Great Neck Board of Education has recognized her for outstanding achievement.

She is the student representative on the Board of Education, and editor-in-chief of the school news paper. She is also the treasurer of the Government Club at school and dance teacher at the Asian Cultural Society.

She was Best Novice Debater at the state debate contest.

She has done voluntary work as a Spanish translator for the Mission of Mercy in El Salvador.

She was on the varsity track and cross-country teams, and captain of the long-distance running team.