Three ESA Students Named Candidates in U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
ESA seniors Sam Hebert, Tolson Frantzen, and Clarke Patrone have been named candidates in the 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Over four thousand candidates were selected from nearly 3.5 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2017.
Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, now in its 53nd year, 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.
Sam, who was accepted via early decision to the University of Chicago, is captain of ESA’s three-time state champion Quiz Bowl team, an AP Scholar with Distinction, a member of the National Honor Society and the tennis team, a peer leader, president of the Spanish Club and an amateur cartographer.
Tolson is an all-state soccer player, an AP Scholar with Distinction, a member of the National Society and a peer tutor. Last summer, he attended the Research Science Institute, a collaboration of MIT and the Center for Excellence in Education. Tolson was accepted to Stanford University through early action.
Clarke, an all-state baseball player and team captain, is also president of the Class of 2017. An AP Scholar with Distinction and a member of the National Honor Society, he serves as assistant editor-in-chief of The Eclectic literary magazine and has built his own cypress pirogue. Clarke was accepted via early action to Harvard University.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars 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 many areas: academic success, leadership, and service to school and community. It was expanded in 1979 to recognize students demonstrating 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, up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen from among that year’s senior class, representing excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America’s youth. All Scholars are invited to Washington, DC in June for the National Recognition Program, featuring various events and enrichment activities and culminating in the presentation of the Presidential Scholars Medallion during a White House-sponsored ceremony.
A distinguished panel of educators will review these submissions and select 800 semifinalists in early April. 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 Scholars in May.
Scholars will be invited to Washington, DC, for several days in June to receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion at a recognition ceremony and to participate in events and activities.
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Episcopal School of Acadiana is a private coeducational day school for students in grades PK3 through 12. Our mission is to instill in every student the habits of scholarship and honor.
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