Leia Wedlund, a senior at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, is among Kentucky's nine seminalists for the 2013 Presidential Scholars Program, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for high school students. The winners will be announced in early May.
Each year, as many as 141 seniors are named Presidential Scholars for their outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship and community service. Fayette County Public Schools boasted 10 of Kentucky’s 53 candidates:
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From Henry Clay High School: Philip Block and Macy Early.
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From Paul Laurence Dunbar High School: Dustin Doss, Jessie Li, Corey Lockridge, Vania Ma, Casey Ren, Melanie Schmocker, Leia Wedlund and Rebecca Williams.
National Recognition Weekend is tentatively set for June 15-18 in Washington, D.C., where the scholars will interact with government officials, educators, authors, musicians, scientists and other accomplished people. The new graduates will also wrestle with global issues, volunteer for service projects, attend recitals, receptions and ceremonies in their honor, and visit area museums and monuments.
All graduating seniors who are U.S. citizens and have scored exceptionally well on either the SAT or the ACT are automatically considered for participation in the Presidential Scholars Program, which was established in 1964. The program expanded in 1979 to recognize exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts.