2008 Presidential Scholars Yearbook
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2008 Presidential Scholars Program NATIONAL RECOGNITION WEEK June 21 – June 24, 2008 National Recognition Week and the 2008 Yearbook are Sponsored by: GMAC Financial Services 2008 PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS 1964-2008 44 Years of Presidential Scholars Th e United States Presidential Scholars Program was established in President Johnson opened the fi rst meeting of the White House 1964, by Executive Order of the President, to recognize and celebrate Commission on Presidential Scholars by stating that the Program was some of our Nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. not just a reward for excellence, but a means of nourishing excellence. Each year, up to 141 American students from across the country and Th e Program was intended to stimulate achievement in a way that around the world are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the Nation’s could be “revolutionary.” highest honors for high school students. By presenting these young During the fi rst National Recognition Week in 1964, the Scholars people with the Presidential Scholars’ Medallion, the President of the participated in seminars with Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Astronaut United States symbolically honors all graduating high school seniors of Alan B. Shepard, Jr., and Chief Justice Earl Warren. President Johnson high potential. challenged the Scholars to give their talents and time “in our land For forty-three years, from President Lyndon Baines Johnson to and in all lands to cleaning away the blight, to sweeping away the President George W. Bush, the Presidential Scholars Program has placed shoddiness, to wiping away the injustices and inequities of the past so more than 5,000 outstanding young achievers in the national spotlight. that all men may live together in a great world community of decency Initiated by President Johnson, the Presidential Scholars Program and excellence.” annually selects one male and one female student from each state, the Over the next decade, several changes occurred in the Presidential District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Americans living abroad, 15 at-large Scholars Program. In 1969, the medallion design became the Great students, and up to 20 students in the arts on the basis of outstanding Seal of the Nation. In 1972, the National Teacher of the Year was scholarship, service, leadership and creativity through a rigorous invited to become a Commissioner. Alumni Scholars were invited selection process administered by the U.S. Department of Education. to serve as Advisors to the program. A booklet of Scholars’ essays on issues facing the nation was issued by the Joint Commission on Arrangements for the Bicentennial in 1976. 2 44 Years of Presidential Scholars In 1979, President Carter expanded the program to honor up In 1998, the Distinguished Teacher award was renamed the Presidential to 20 students selected by the Commission through an artistic Scholars Program Teacher Recognition Award to serve as a means competition. In 1980, a compendium of Scholars’ essays, poems, and for rewarding good teachers for knowledge, skill, and performance. musical compositions was published, following a performance by the Th e award marks the progress that schools, communities, educators Scholars in the National Academy of Sciences’ auditorium. and families are making as they work with their states and the U.S. Th e selection process was refi ned in the 1980s to emphasize Department of Education to improve teaching and learning, and leadership and community service. Th e U.S. Department of applauds the successes of highly qualifi ed teachers and counselors. Education produced a collection of Scholar essays on ways to Upholding the values represented by the medallion they received, each improve the Nation’s education system. class of Presidential Scholars has gone on to fulfi ll the bright promise In 1981, the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts was they showed so early in life. Th eir ranks now boast attorneys and created and its Arts Recognition and Talent Search program began to judges; leaders of business, industry and fi nance; senior military offi cers; conduct the annual artistic competition. In 1983, the Distinguished writers of fi ction, nonfi ction and poetry; diplomats; members of the Teacher awards were created, and the twentieth year celebration of clergy; educators; scientists and researchers in every fi eld; federal, state the program included an Alumni reunion and a performance by the and local government offi cials; computer specialists; engineers; choir Scholars at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. directors; dancers and choreographers; costume designers; physicians in diverse branches of medicine; actors, novelists; technical advisors; Th e year 1994 saw the publication of a working paper by the musicians and composers; architects and designers; visual artists; non- American Association for Gifted Children, entitled “Th e Presidential profi t managers, fundraisers, singers, entrepreneurs, and foreign service Scholars: A Portrait of Talent and its Development.” Th is study offi cers. Th ey are also family members, spouses and parents, and in their indicated that the support of parents and family members, and the personal and professional lives are helping to instill in new generations encouragement of teachers were important factors in cultivating the their commitment to excellence, their high ideals, and their devotion gifts of the Presidential Scholars, and that the Scholars approached to service. Individually, they are shining lights in their respective their experiences and challenges in ways that served to strengthen communities and fi elds of endeavor, and together they are a singular rather than impede the development of their abilities. constellation of purpose, dedication, and achievement. 3 2008 PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS Congratulations 4 44 Years of Presidential Scholars 5 2008 PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS 6 44 Years of Presidential Scholars 7 THE PROGRAM THROUGH 2008 PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS EIGHT ADMINISTRATIONS “You are exceptional “Th rough [this program] “Your leadership, your members of an exceptional we recognize and honor intelligence could play a generation. What you not only the young men very vital role in writing accomplish as individuals and women of uncommon the agenda for America’s - what all of us accomplish ability and dedication who third century. I trust as a nation - depends upon [are this year’s] Presidential that you will contribute, What the the goals and the values Scholars, but the tens through your scholarship by which we challenge of thousands of brilliant and your practical ourselves. Th e average and young Americans whom experience, new thought Presidents the adequate are too low these Scholars represent and new insights into our as goals... Our aim must and upon whose skill and national wisdom. In this be higher; our reach must vision the American future way you will strengthen Have Said: be farther; our pace must rests... Th e recognition you the American democracy be faster. Our society and receive is more important which all of us cherish. its members must aim than a prize of material You have got to think for, and reach toward, value. It is something that big, be big, act big, the goals and values of money cannot buy. ... It dream big, and above all, excellence. I honor you for is something also that you accomplish big.” what I know you, will carry with you the rest President Ford and your generation, of your lives, I hope will achieve in the years very proudly...” to come.” President Nixon President Johnson 8 44 Years of Presidential Scholars “I’m very grateful to “You are America’s future “Th is marks the highest “America depends on... “I want to thank you have a chance to fi rst and symbolize her greatest Scholastic honor a you to master the for the contribution of all congratulate you, hopes. ... Your country President can bestow, and lessons we have recorded you make to our Nation and secondly to call on has made an enormous I am honored to bestow in the past and to today, and urge you on, you for continued help. investment in you, and it. For while already you accept the challenges because the contributions You’ve been chosen in we’re relying on your have done much, I know that will confront us you’ll make tomorrow an intensely competitive energies and abilities you will do more, and not in the future. ...Our will be just as important. way, based on merit to carry us into the for yourselves alone but quality of life during As we face the challenges alone. But of course, next century - free and for nation and neighbor the next century will of a new era, we must with ... opportunity ... strong and prosperous. - learning, caring, helping depend on the creative encourage all young comes commensurate Let this award be both education lead the way. reasoning and the fi rm people to develop their responsibility. And a recognition of past ... [In] America the dedication of you and knowledge and skills, so since [as a Presidential accomplishments and defi nition of a successful your contemporaries. ... that they will have the Scholar] you are at least a challenge to excel in life must include serving I don’t see how anybody necessary foundation a temporary public the years ahead. ... We’re others. Well, that goes could be concerned about to thrive in a changing servant... I hope when counting on you to double for America’s best. the future of this great world. As Presidential you do go back home that understand and shape a Many have labored to country, looking at you, Scholars you are role you’ll be both incisive, better world...” share their knowledge reading your records, models for other young questioning, ... and President Reagan with you, and you can knowing what you people throughout our ... constructive.” give them no greater have achieved.” country. I encourage you President Carter gift than to share your President Clinton to build on your successes knowledge with others.