Presidential Scholars Announced for 2005

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today announced the selection of 141 outstanding American high school seniors as the 2005 Presidential Scholars. Over 5,000 of the nation's top students have been honored as Presidential Scholars since this prestigious program's founding 41 years ago.

The scholars will be honored for their accomplishments in academics or the arts, as well as for their leadership, character and civic contributions during the program's national recognition events in Washington, D.C., from June 25-28. This four-day celebration includes educational seminars, meetings with representatives of the three branches of government, a morning of community service, an exhibition of scholars' artwork and a public performance in the Concert Hall of the Kennedy Center by the Presidential Scholars in the Arts. The events culminate with the presentation to the students of the Presidential Scholars Medallion in a ceremony sponsored by the White House.

"President Bush has challenged this country to extend the No Child Left Behind Act's reforms into our high schools, transforming them into centers of excellence. As we work to make this vision a reality, the examples set by the 2005 Presidential Scholars can encourage and inspire us, Spellings said. "These distinguished seniors are proof of how far our students can go with the support of challenging academic standards, accountability for results, proven practices and first-rate teachers. The president and I are proud of these special young men and women, and we want to ensure that all high school students have the opportunity to succeed just as these scholars have."

The Presidential Scholars program was established in 1964 to honor academic achievement and was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts. Over 2,700 candidates from the nearly three million students expected to graduate from high school in 2005 qualified on the basis of outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT assessments, or nomination through the annual nationwide Arts Recognition and Talent Search® (ARTS) conducted by the program's non-profit partner, the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.

The 28-member Commission on Presidential Scholars, appointed by President Bush, made the final selection from a pool of over 500 semifinalists. The commission includes leaders in the fields of education, business and finance, social service and government, as well as the National Teacher of the Year, who serves as a commissioner for a one-year term.

Scholars are chosen on the basis of broad academic achievement, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of leadership, community service and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.

The 141 winners include one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at large and 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts.

Since 1983, each Presidential Scholar has invited his or her most inspirational teacher to travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the recognition events. The teachers also receive a Teacher Recognition Award from the U.S. Department of Education.