Three high schoolers from around the state have been named to this year’s class of U.S. Presidential Scholars.
They are Dalton S. Cook from Westside High School in Clear Fork, Rania Zuri from Morgantown High School and Isabella Mackenzie Herrod from Liberty High School.
Herrod was specifically named a Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education.
They’re part of a group of 161 students selected for the accomplishment nationwide. This year, more than 5,000 candidates qualified through either their performance on the SAT or ACT exams, or through nominations from school officers or organizations.
The program was created in 1964 to recognize the nation’s most distinguished high school seniors. In 2015, it was extended to recognize students going into career and technical education fields.
The program selects scholars from the pool of candidates each year through a review committee, which evaluates students based on their “academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities and an analysis of their essay,” according to its website.
Cook, Zuri and Herrod have been recognized for their achievements in statements from U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, as well as Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito.
“U.S. Presidential Scholars have always represented the future of our country and the bright promise it holds. I want each of these remarkable students to know: your passion and intellect, pursuit of excellence, and spirit of service are exactly what our country needs,” Cardona said.
All three students will be honored with an online recognition program this summer and will be awarded with the U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion.