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

FOR RELEASE
May 15, 2000

News Media Contact:
Melinda Malico
(202) 401-1008
Contact for Scholars:
(319) 337-1650

YEAR 2000 PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS ANNOUNCED

U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley today named 141 outstanding high school seniors as the year 2000 Presidential Scholars.

The scholars, who are recognized for their achievements in academics or the arts, will visit Washington, D.C., June 28-July 2, to be honored at a recognition ceremony where each will receive a Presidential Scholar medallion.

"The excellence these students have achieved is a result of the tough courses they have enrolled in, their positive attitudes toward learning and achievement, their leadership skills, the support of their parents and the many ways in which they have worked with their communities to make them better places to live," Riley said. "All of these factors contribute to making them outstanding role models for their peers and for all of us."

A 32-member commission on Presidential Scholars makes the final selection of scholars from among 2.5 million graduating high school seniors. The commission is appointed by the president and is comprised of eminent private citizens.

The year 2000 scholars represent the 37^th class of Presidential Scholars and join 4,000 past honorees. They were selected on the basis of broad academic achievement, including SAT or ACT scores, essays, transcripts, leadership, character and commitment to high ideals. Twenty scholars also are being recognized for their accomplishments in the visual or performing arts, or creative writing. Arts scholars are selected by the commission from students who participate in the Arts Recognition and Talent Search, conducted by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.

The 141 winners include one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad; 15 at-large and 20 scholars in the arts.

Since 1983, each Presidential Scholar has been asked to name the teacher who has had the greatest impact on his or her academic or artistic accomplishments. These educators also are invited to Washington to participate in the recognition ceremony and receive a certificate of excellence from the Education Department.

NOTE TO EDITORS: A list of scholars follows and is available on the Department of Education's web site at www.ed.gov/PressReleases/05-2000/Y2K_Presidentia_Scholars.html. Lists of the scholars' teachers are available upon request.

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