Hearty congratulations to Alyssa Bryan '13, who recently was selected as a semifinalist in this year's U.S. Presidential Scholars competition.
From nearly 3.2 million graduating high school seniors, approximately 3,900 students were identified as candidates in the program, and approximately 550 semifinalists have been chosen from around the country. These semifinalists form the pool from which the 2013 U.S. Presidential Scholars will be chosen. The names of the winning students will be announced in May. Eighteen Ohio students have been named semifinalists. Of those, one girl and one boy will become Presidential Scholars.
Remarking on the outstanding achievement, Upper School Director Sue Sadler noted that Bryan deserved this recognition for her exceptional scholarship and commitment to a variety of in-school and extracurricular initiatives, including Science Research & Engineering, Speech & Debate, and Gold Key service. "She's as tenacious as they come," said Dean of Students Hallie Godshall.
According to a news release provided by the program, The United States Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. Each year, up to 141 students are named as U.S. Presidential Scholars, one of the country's highest honors for high school students. The Scholars represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in young people. In honoring the U.S. Presidential Scholars, the President of the United States symbolically honors all graduating high school seniors of high potential. Each U.S. Presidential Scholar is asked to identify the one teacher who has most influenced him or her, and the selected educators are invited to attend the recognition events that will take place in Washington, D.C. These distinguished professionals are honored for their efforts at a special reception, and presented with the Teacher Recognition Award.
Learn more about the U.S. Presidential Scholars program by visiting the official website. For a list of this year's semifinalists, click here.