Bowling Green Teen Named Semifinalist for U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

Bowling Green Teen Named Semifinalist for U.S. Presidential Scholars Program Hosamulhaq Brula is one of 627 students selected nationwide for the prestigious program BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) -A Warren County student has been selected as a semifinalist for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Hosamulhaq Brula, a Bowling Green native who graduated from the Gatton Academy and attended South Warren High School, is one of 627 students selected by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars as a semifinalist. Only 12 students from Kentucky were chosen. “I was honestly pretty surprised. Like, I wasn’t really expecting it,” Brula said. “I kind of just sent in the application in March, and I didn’t really think about it since then.” Brula said, he discovered the news while looking through the mail. “I saw something from like the U.S. government. It had their emblem and it had my name on it. Which, for a second, I felt like I was maybe in trouble or something,” he said. “It didn’t really click for me that this was because of the Presidential Scholars until I read it. And of course, I was very excited. I wasn’t even thinking that I could possibly get this, but it was really amazing for me and my family.” Burhan Brula, Hosamulhaq’s brother, said the recognition reflects his sibling’s dedication. “I think it was a great honor for him and for our family, especially to realize that so few students in Kentucky actually received the award,” Burhan Brula said. “And I think it’s a testament to all of his hard work and sacrifice that goes along with it.” The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has recognized the nation’s top graduating seniors since 1964. The program recognizes students in three areas: academic achievement, exceptional talent in the visual and performing arts and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Brula said, his focus was medicine and biochemistry. “For me, sort of my niche was like medicine and biochemistry. So, it’s sort of like, my main research thing was trying to find solutions to antibiotic resistance,” he said. “And that was sort of the thing that I felt stood out in my application.” Brula received a full-tuition scholarship to Vanderbilt and will begin his first semester this fall. He will now advance to the final round of consideration by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars. The final class will be announced in July. Copyright 2026 WBKO. All rights reserved.