Beckley, WV (WOAY) One West Virginia student is receiving national recognition for her achievements in science and engineering.
The highly prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has named Maya Panta as a 2026 national semifinalist.
The program honors some of the nation’s top graduating high school seniors for excellence in academics, the arts, and career and technical education.
Panta was selected as one of just three female semifinalists from West Virginia out of nearly 6,500 candidates nationwide.
Her accomplishments include competing in the International Science and Engineering Fair, the International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, and the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium.
Her research focuses on thermal fluid sciences and energy technology, including innovative heat exchanger designs.
She also founded Maya’s Project STEM, a community service initiative that has provided hands-on engineering activities to hundreds of local students.
