This year is the 20th anniversary o...

This year is the 20th anniversary of the Presidential Scholars Program, established on an Executive Order of the President. The Presidential Scholar honor is the Nation's highest distinction bestowed on exceptional high school seniors. Each Scholar receives a medallion at a White House observance in June and takes part in a week of seminars, lessons and other activities. In addition, each receives $1000 from the Geraldine R Dodge Foundation, a private philanthropic organization.

The winners include single in kind young man and one young woman from each State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and from among U citizens living aboard. Fifteen scholars are chosen at large, and 20 who exhibit exceptional artistic talent. Academic scholars are picked on the basis of standard scores, grades, essays, and leadership. The arts scholars are preferableed in cooperation with the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, which supervises the Arts Recognition and Talent Search (ARTS) program for high educate students.

Final selection of the Scholars is made through the Commission on Presidential Scholars, a assemblage of 51 private citizens appointed on the President.