Presidential scholars are appointed by the president. High school seniors are chosen based on academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, community service and leadership. They demonstrate commitment and success in their endeavors.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, “Presidential Scholars demonstrate the accomplishments that can be made when students challenge themselves, set the highest standards and commit themselves to excellence.”
This year senior Nadia Busekrus has been nominated a Presidential Scholar.
College counselor, Randall Fong, said, “It is a great honor to be nominated. Many students apply but only a select few from each state are chosen. Caitlin Mori, class of 2010, was the last student to be nominated and awarded a Presidential Scholarship. It would be a great honor for our school to have two Presidential Scholars.”
Only two seniors from each state are selected after the application process is completed.
Busekrus said, “I am so grateful for this opportunity to represent our school in this national competition. Because of my SAT scores, I was able to participate and now the next step is to complete the application which includes essays, teacher recommendation and information about my family. I think writing all of the essays will be the most challenging part!”
An estimated three million students graduate annually but only 3,300 candidates qualify to be presidential scholars. Nominations are based on College Board SAT and ACT exam results or through the Council of Chief State School Officers, a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, based on outstanding scholarship. Hawaii’s Chief State School Officer is DOE Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi.
Math chair, Deborah Kula, said, “Nadia deserves this nomination. Presidential scholarship is not merely about academic excellence, selection also indicates leadership and service and personal characteristics that provide a positive model for others. In AP Calculus, Nadia is intensely focused and attentive to details. She works with others to investigate and clarify concepts and is genuinely interested in everyone understanding the material.”
Busekrus said, “I have not decided where I will go to college yet, but I am looking in Virginia, Indiana, Portland and Hawaii.”
The winners of the Presidential Scholarships will be announced in early May.
