7 School District Five students named candidates in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

For Immediate Release – February 8, 2024

7 School District Five students named candidates in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

IRMO – Seven Lexington-Richland School District Five seniors have been nominated for one of the highest honors for the graduating class of 2024.

Damien Dedmond (Chapin High), Caroline Huang (Dutch Fork High), Ava McCarty (Spring Hill High), Darwin Newman-Norlund (Dutch Fork High), Aaron Parr (Chapin High), Branner Umberger (Spring Hill High) and Andy Yang (Dutch Fork High) have been named candidates in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

More than 4,000 candidates were selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities. Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities.

The Scholars program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President with subsequent amendments. It recognizes the accomplishments of some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors. Scholars are chosen for leadership and service to school and community and they demonstrate exceptional scholarship; visual, creative, and performing arts talent; and accomplishment in career and technical fields. Up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen annually. U.S. Presidential Scholars are honored for their accomplishments during the National Recognition Program each June and to commemorate their achievement, the Scholars are also awarded the Presidential Scholars Medallion.  

The Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of up to 32 eminent citizens appointed by the president, will select the finalists, and the U.S. Department of Education will announce the semifinalists in April and the scholars in May.

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