WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — When 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars from the high school Class of 2024 were announced on Thursday, three Connecticut students were on the list.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, a Meriden native, made the announcement, recognizing the outstanding students for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and the career and technical field, according to a release from the U.S. Department of Education.
Representing Connecticut will be Annika Fleur Emilia Mengwall, of Darien, who attends Dairen High School, Cy J. Pavlov of Trumbull, who is a student at Trumbull High School, and Leigh M. Foran, of Westport, who attends Staples High School.
Cardona, who graduated from Central Connecticut State University and earned his doctorate at the University of Connecticut, said in a release that this is the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Presidential Scholars.
“U.S. Presidential Scholars represent the best of our nation’s schools and inspire hope in the bright future of this country,” Cardona said. “On behalf of President Biden, I am delighted to celebrate their accomplishments and encourage these scholars to continue to aim high, lift up others, and embrace opportunities to lead.”
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects the scholars annually, which evaluates academic success, excellence in the arts and technical education, and reviews essays, school evaluations, transcripts, and each student’s demonstrated commitment to community service and leadership.
The Department of Education says 3.7 million American students are expected to graduate from high school this year, and more than 5,700 candidates qualified for the 2024 awards.
The 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars consist of two students from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, U.S. families living abroad, and 15 more chosen at-large. Twenty scholars are chosen from the arts and 20 more are chosen from career and technical education, the release said.
Since its creation in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has recognized more than 8,200 of the country’s most distinguished students. In 1979, the program was expanded to honor students who demonstrate significant talent in the visual, literary, and performing arts.
The program was extended again in 2015 to include students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields, according to the release.
The Presidential Scholars Class of 2024 will be recognized for their outstanding achievement this summer with an online recognition program.
Students selected to be U.S. Presidential Scholars receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in June and a U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion during a ceremony sponsored by the White House.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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