Four in the Running for Prestigious Presidential Scholarship

Four members of Watchung Hills Regional High School’s senior class are under consideration to be named United States Presidential Scholars: John Draikiwicz, Diana Liao,  Audrey Luo, all Warren Township residents, and Matthew Piekarski of Green Brook.

The United States Presidential Scholars Program was initiated in 1964 by Executive Order of President Lyndon Johnson; its purpose is to recognize and honor some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.

Every year since the inception of the program, approximately 3,000 candidates who are U.S. citizens (or legal permanent residents) are identified for the academic segment of the program by having scored exceptionally  well on the Scholastic Aptitude Test or its equivalent, the ACT, which are nationally recognized as markers for academic achievement. From this number, some 20 males and 20 females from each state, Washington, D. C., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, will be selected. (They do not apply for the honor, but are selected by a screening committee.)

There is also a parallel program that recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performance arts.

A qualified review committee evaluates candidates on their academic achievements, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities as well as the quality and content of their essays. This process will narrow the initial list down to 500 semifinalists.

The White House committee on Presidential Scholars then reviews the semifinalists, applying the same criteria used by the review committee to determine up to 121 Scholars and up to 20 Arts Scholars.

Should they be selected, the Scholars, along with one teacher of their selection, who, the Scholars say, have been of the greatest influence, will be honored for their accomplishments during National Recognition Week, held in June in Washington, D.C.

During the Scholars’ stay in Washington, they are slated to meet government officials, educators, authors, and accomplished persons, and will be awarded Presidential medallions at a White House ceremony.

Needless to say, since there are only two students selected from each state, the competition is keen (However, those candidates who are not selected, invariably are the recipients of other scholastic honors).

Watchung Hills’ Class of 2012 graduate Priyanka Goyal, now a student at Princeton University, was the recipient of a United States Presidential Scholarship.