A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

FOR RELEASE
January 24, 2000

Contact for News Media Only
Melinda Kitchell Malico (202) 401-1008

2,610 STUDENTS NAMED CANDIDATES IN PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM

The U.S. Department of Education today announced that 2,610 graduating seniors have been named candidates in the year 2000 Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 2.8 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools this year.

Now in its 37th year, the Presidential Scholars Program is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. The 141 scholars, to be announced in May, are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities.

The 2,610 candidates were selected for exceptional academic performance on the basis of either the College Board SAT or the ACT Assessment scores. Further consideration is based on students' essays, self-assessments, descriptions of activities, school recommendations and school transcripts. A distinguished panel of educators will review the submissions and select 500 semifinalists in April.

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of 30 eminent citizens appointed by the president, will make final selection of the scholars. They will select one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. students living abroad; up to 20 students from the creative and performing arts and 15 students at-large. The department will announce the scholars in May.

Scholars will be invited to Washington, D.C. in late June to receive the Presidential Scholars medallion at a recognition ceremony and to participate in activities with their elected representatives, educators and others in public life.

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NOTE TO NEWS EDITORS: Semifinalists will be announced in April and scholars in May. For more information, schools and families may call the Presidential Scholars office listed above. To contact the scholars directly for more information on individual scholars, news media may call the news media contact listed above.

A complete list of Candidates for Presidential Scholars Program can be found at:  www.ed.gov/PressReleases/01-2000/candidates.html.
Candidates for Presidential Scholars in the Arts are listed at:   www.ed.gov/PressReleases/01-2000/candidates_2.html