The TASIS School in Dorado proudly celebrates Lucas J. Mendoza Dávila ‘25, now a Biomedical Engineering freshman at Duke University, on his selection as a 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholar, one of only three students from Puerto Rico to earn this prestigious honor. Lucas is TASIS Dorado’s fourth consecutive Presidential Scholar (2022–2025) and the school’s sixth since 2011, an extraordinary achievement for just fifteen graduating classes.

Lucas’s TASIS Dorado years were defined by intellectual curiosity, athletic dedication, and service. A High Honor Roll student and AP Scholar with Distinction, he excelled in AP Physics, Chemistry, Calculus BC, and Biology. As Class Board Treasurer, he helped raise over $100,000 and was active in the National Honor Society, Italian Honor Society, Math Bowl Club, and several clubs.

Lucas also tutored children with cerebral palsy and ADHD, reflecting his compassion and purpose. His summer experiences at the University of Chicago’s Neubauer Phoenix STEM program and medical shadowing inspired his passion for engineering solutions in renewable energy and water management.

In athletics, Lucas thrived as a central midfielder on the varsity soccer team and libero on the volleyball team, leading them to league championships and top island rankings. His love for surfing, chess, and math competitions shows the discipline and adventurous spirit that carried him through the challenges of the pandemic with renewed motivation.

“Lucas embodies everything we hope for in a TASIS Dorado graduate: scholarship, leadership, athleticism, and a commitment to improving the world,” said Sara Hernández, Director of Upper School. “We are beyond proud to see his dedication recognized on the national stage.”

Lucas selected his Multivariable Calculus teacher, Omar González, as his most influential educator. In recognition of his role in Lucas’s journey, Mr. González will receive the U.S. Department of Education’s Distinguished Teacher Award, a tribute to the mentorship that helps TASIS Dorado students thrive.