Dunbar Produces U.S. Presidential Scholar

2025 Graduate Maya Davis Now Attends Stanford University

Maya Davis, a recent graduate of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, is one of two Kentucky students among the 161 named to the U.S. Presidential Scholars class of 2025 for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, or career and technical education fields. This is one of our country's top honors for high school seniors!

List of Honorees

Additionally, as Davis’ nominee, Physics and Astronomy teacher Scot Gill was named to the 2025 Distinguished Teachers list. 

Davis, who now attends Stanford University, participated in the Math, Science, & Technology Center program at Dunbar. Gill recalled her taking his AP Physics 1 class her sophomore year and Dual Credit Astronomy in her senior year. A founding member of the Astronomy Club at Dunbar, Davis attended an astronomy program at the University of Colorado/Boulder one summer and two other conferences dealing with the ethics of space travel and the challenges humans face if we are to become a space-faring species. 

Of the 3.9 million students who graduated in 2025, more than 6,400 candidates qualified for the U.S. Presidential Scholars award based on outstanding performance on the SAT or ACT or nominations made by chief state school officers and partner recognition organizations. Fayette County Public Schools produced 11 candidates and two semifinalists.