Presidential Scholars named from Wisconsin

Public school students from Madison and Whitefish Bay have been named the state's recipients of the 2012 Presidential Scholars award.

Suman Gunasekaran of James Madison Memorial High School in Madison, and Emma C. Fallone of Whitefish Bay High School, will be recognized at a ceremony sponsored by the White House June 16 where they will receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion. Teachers, who the scholars named as being most inspiring and challenging, also will be honored. Joseph King, mathematics teacher at Madison's Memorial High School, and David Johnson, history teacher at Whitefish Bay High School, will receive a Teacher Recognition Award from the U.S. Department of Education.

"Congratulations to Suman and Emma. The Presidential Scholars award is considered the nation's highest honor for graduating high school seniors," said State Superintendent Tony Evers. "It takes devotion to studies, commitment to excellence, and service to community as well as support from parents and teachers to achieve such an honor. Congratulations to our inspiring teachers as well. It means a great deal to a teacher to have a student appreciate your efforts to help them learn."

Wisconsin's Presidential Scholars are among 141 graduating seniors receiving the honor nationwide. Students chosen as Presidential Scholars were among 3,300 candidates who qualified mostly on the basis of outstanding performance on the ACT or SAT college admissions tests. Candidates were invited to apply, a process that included essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of leadership, community service, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals. Members of the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars made the final selection of Presidential Scholars: 121 academic scholars from the states, U.S. territories, and families of U.S. citizens living abroad, and up to 20 Arts Scholars.

The Presidential Scholars award was established in 1964. Since that time, the program has recognized more than 6,000 of the nation's top-performing students for their academic and artistic achievement.

Last updated on 5/14/2012 9:33:48 AM