Five
Highland Park High School students have been named candidates for the
prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholar Program, the most in 14 years. Candidates
are graduating high school seniors who have demonstrated accomplishments in
many areas - academic and artistic success, leadership, and involvement in
school and the community.
The candidates from HPHS are:
The candidates from HPHS are:
- Matthew Emerson
- Xiaohan Gao
- Daniel Huang
- Francisco Lopez
- Nga Vu
The
Presidential Scholar Program was established by executive order in 1964 to
honor and recognize the nation's top high school seniors. Each year, more than
4,000 students are identified as candidates for the program based on their
exceptional performance on the SAT or ACT, and further consideration is based
on student essays and leadership and service activities. Approximately 800
candidates will be named semifinalists, and the White House Commission on
Presidential Scholars will then select up to 161 students for the top honor in
April.
The
five HPHS students honored is the highest number of candidates chosen from the
campus since at
least 2002.
HPHS Principal Walter Kelly lauded these students for their successes in and
out of the classroom.
"I am exceptionally proud of these young adults for being named candidates for one of the top academic honors in the nation," Kelly said. "This recognition not only honors students for a high score on a test, but for their ability to serve as leaders in the community. Helping our students achieve success once they leave high school is of the utmost priority for educators in Highland Park."
Students who are selected as scholars will be invited to Washington, D.C. for an all-expenses paid trip to meet with government officials and educators, and will be honored at a ceremony sponsored by the White House.
Highland Park ISD