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PIedmont High School senior, Jasper Zietlow.

Fresh off being named a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist in September, Piedmont High School senior, Jasper Zietlow, added another item to his academic resume by being named a candidate in the 2023 Presidential Scholar Program. 

The United States Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by Executive Order of the President, to recognize and honor some of the Nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Each year, up to 161 students are named U.S. Presidential Scholars, one of the Nation's highest honors for high school students. The Scholars represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in young people. In honoring the U.S. Presidential Scholars, the President of the United States symbolically honors all graduating seniors of high potential.

The selection of approximately 4,000 general program candidates, for the most part, is made based on SAT and ACT scores. Test scores in each of the states/jurisdictions are reviewed, and the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) and Math SAT score is compared to the  ACT English, Reading and Math score. Students are considered in their states of legal residence, unless they live abroad. Candidacy materials are mailed to students for participation in the program. Application is by invitation only; therefore, students may not apply individually to the Program, nor may their schools nominate them. Learn more about the selection process

For over 58 years, this unique federal program has honored over 8,000 U.S. Presidential Scholars, who have demonstrated leadership, scholarship, and contribution to school and community. The work of the Commission on Presidential Scholars reaffirms, on behalf of the President, the Nation's commitment to education.  

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