Twenty graduating seniors from South Carolina high schools have been named 2010 Carolina Scholars at the University of South Carolina.

Carolina Scholars are admitted into the South Carolina Honors College and are awarded an annual scholarship, a laptop computer, and first choices in parking and housing.

Local Carolina Scholars include Avnika Bhavesh Amin of Columbia, Marc– Oliver Blais of Irmo, Lawton Cole Burkhalter of Chapin, Kristina Michelle Drake of Irmo, Leila Marie Heidari of Columbia, Charles Michael Hood of Columbia, Priyanka Sandhir Juneja of Irmo, Niki Paulette Koutroulakis of Columbia, Emily Clark Padget of Columbia, Felician Georg Stratmann of Irmo, and Mackenzie Ann Sunday of Columbia.

Avnika Amin, daughter of Bhavesh and Divya Amin of Columbia, is a graduate of Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, where she was a National Merit scholar, 2010 National Latin Exam gold medalist, editor–in– chief of the school’s literary magazine and captain of the model UN team. Amin plans on majoring in biology with interests in international studies, research, and pre–med.

Marc–Oliver Blais, son of Daniel Blais and Lise Couture of Irmo, is a graduate of Dutch Fork High School, where he was the 2010 regional champion of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl, 2009 state finalist of the National Chemistry Olympiad, member of the National Honor Society, and a varsity tennis player. Blais plans on studying chemical engineering.

Lawton Burkhalter, son of Mark and Tracy Burkhalter of Chapin, is a graduate of Chapin High School, where he was a National Merit finalist, Palmetto fellow, AP scholar with distinction, and recipient of the James E. Casey Scholarship sponsored by the UPS Foundation. Burkhalter plans on majoring in chemical engineering.

Tina Drake, daughter of Albert and Stephanie Drake of Irmo, is a graduate of Dutch Fork High School, where she was the 2010 valedictorian, a National Merit scholar, AP scholar with distinction, member of the National Honor Society, member of the National Society of High School Scholars, and a 2009 research grant recipient from the National Science Foundation. Drake has interests in pre–medicine and biology and plans on majoring in biomedical engineering.

Leila Heidari, daughter of Khosrow and Melissa Heidari of Columbia, is a graduate of Cardinal Newman School, where she was senior class president, a member of the National Honor Society, secretary of the French Club, and member of the academic quiz bowl team. Heidari has an interest in math and science but has not declared a major.

Michael Hood, son of Charles and Anita Hood of Columbia, is a graduate of Irmo High School, where he was a National Merit scholar, Palmetto fellow, U.S. Presidential Scholarship candidate, AP scholar with distinction, chapter president of the National Honor Society, member and senior co–captain of the varsity tennis team, and delegate to South Carolina Palmetto Boys State.

Priyanka Juneja, daughter of Anil and Anita Juneja of Irmo, is a graduate of Dutch Fork High School where she was an AP scholar, AP scholar with distinction, captain of the mock trial team, and participated in Taekwondo. Juneja has an interest in pre–law and plans on majoring in international business.

Sarah Law, daughter of Ted and Joan Law of Columbia, is a graduate of Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, where she was a Palmetto fellow, Cum Laude chapter historian for the National Honor Society, AP scholar, and treasurer of the South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. Law is interested in pre–med and plans to major in biology and environmental science.

Emily Padget, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Padget of Columbia, is a graduate of Richland Northeast High School, where she was student president, South Carolina winner of the Al Neuharth Free Spirit Journalism Scholarship, and a member of the model United Nations team, which achieved national first place. Padget is interested in public policy and plans on majoring in political science.

Felician Stratman, son of Johannes and Claudia Stratmann of Columbia, is a graduate of Dutch Fork High School, where he was a member of the FIRST Robotics team and his high school’s science team, which placed first in astronomy and remote sensing. Stratmann plays the piano and the bassoon and has been principal bassoonist for the South Carolina Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Stratmann plans on pursuing a major in physics.

Mackenzie Sunday, daughter of Tom and Ilona Sunday of Columbia, is a graduate of A.C. Flora High School, where she was valedictorian and a National Merit finalist. Sunday is a former Columbia Star cub reporter and is interested in studying neuroscience and psychology.