Matthew Wanta, a Germantown High School senior, has been selected as one of 620 semifinalists for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. From nearly 3.7 million graduating high school seniors across the country, more than 5,300 students were identified as candidates in the program. The 620 semifinalists now form the pool from which the 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars will be chosen.
This program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments in academics, leadership, and service to school and community. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was expanded once again to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical fields. Annually, approximately 160 U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen from among the year’s graduating class, representing excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America’s youth. All Scholars are invited to Washington, D.C., in June for their National Recognition Program, featuring various events and enrichment activities and culminating in the presentation of the Presidential Scholars Medallion during the White House-sponsored ceremony.
You can find a list of the 2022 semifinalists online at www.ed.gov/psp. The names of the 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars will be announced in early May.