Tag Archives: United States Department of Education

The 2011 United States Presidential Scholars were honored last week in Washington, D.C. During their visit, the Scholars enjoyed a variety of activities, including a medallion ceremony with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, a dinner with the Scholars’ most influential teachers and an opportunity to perform community service with the Horton’s kids non-profit organization. They also enjoyed an evening performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

In May, Duncan announced the 141 outstanding graduating high school seniors: one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad. Additionally, 15 students were chosen at-large, as were 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts. More than 3,000 candidates qualified on the basis of outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams, or by nomination through the nationwide YoungArts™ competition. Scholars were selected based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations, transcripts. Evidence of community service, leadership and commitment to high ideals were also taken into consideration in the selection process.

The program to honor high achievement was created in 1964. It expanded in 1979 to recognize students who excelled in the arts.

Read the complete list of 2011 honorees.