2009 PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS NATIONAL RECOGNITION WEEK June 20 – June 24, 2009 National Recognition Week and the 2009 Yearbook are Sponsored by: GMAC Financial Services 1 1964-2009 2009 PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS 45 YEARS OF PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS The United States Presidential Scholars Program was established President Johnson opened the first meeting of the White House in 1964, by Executive Order of the President, to recognize and Commission on Presidential Scholars by stating that the Program celebrate some of our Nation’s most distinguished graduating was not just a reward for excellence, but a means of nourishing high school seniors. Each year, up to 141 American students excellence. The Program was intended to stimulate achievement from across the country and around the world are named as in a way that could be “revolutionary.” Presidential Scholars, one of the Nation’s highest honors for During the first National Recognition Week in 1964, the Scholars high school students. By presenting these young people with the participated in seminars with Secretary of State Dan Rusk, Presidential Scholars’ Medallion, the President of the United Astronaut Alan B. Sheppard, and Chief Justice Earl Warren. States symbolically honors all graduating high school seniors of President Johnson challenged the Scholars to give their talents high potential. and time “in our land and in all lands to cleaning away the blight, For forty-five years, from President Lyndon Baines Johnson to to sweeping away the shoddiness, to wiping away the injustices President Barack Obama, the Presidential Scholars Program and inequities of the past so that all men may live together in a has placed more than 6,000 outstanding young achievers in great world community of decency and excellence.” the national spotlight. Initiated by President Johnson, the Over the next decade, several changes occurred in the Presidential Presidential Scholars Program annually selects one male and one Scholars Program. In 1969, the medallion design became the female student from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Great Seal of the Nation. In 1972, the National Teacher of the Rico, Americans living abroad, 15 at-large students, and up to Year was invited to become a Commissioner. Alumni Scholars 20 students in the arts on the basis of outstanding scholarship, were invited to serve as Advisors to the program. A booklet of service, leadership and creativity through a rigorous selection Scholars’ essays on issues facing the nation was issued by the Joint process administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Commission on Arrangements for the Bicentennial in 1976. 2 45 Years of Presidential Scholars In 1979, President Carter expanded the program to honor up In 1998, the Distinguished Teacher award was renamed the to 20 students selected by the Commission through an artistic Presidential Scholars Program Teacher Recognition Award to competition. In 1980, a compendium of Scholars’ essays, poems, serve as a means for rewarding good teachers for knowledge, 2009 PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS and musical compositions was published, following a performance skill, and performance. The award marks the progress that by the Scholars in the National Academy of Sciences’ auditorium. schools, communities, educators and families are making as they The selection process was refined in the 1980s to emphasize work with their states and the U.S. Department of Education leadership and community service. The U.S. Department of to improve teaching and learning, and applauds the successes of Education produced a collection of Scholar essays on ways to highly qualified teachers and counselors. improve the Nation’s education system. Upholding the values represented by the medallion they received, In 1981, the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts each class of Presidential Scholars has gone on to fulfill the was created and its Arts Recognition and Talent Search program bright promise they showed so early in life. Their ranks now began to conduct the annual artistic competition. In 1983, the boast attorneys and judges; leaders of business, industry and Distinguished Teacher awards were created, and the twentieth finance; senior military officers; writers of fiction, nonfiction year celebration of the program included an Alumni reunion and and poetry; diplomats; members of the clergy; educators; a performance by the Scholars at the John F. Kennedy Center for scientists and researchers in every field; federal, state and local the Performing Arts. government officials; computer specialists; engineers; choir directors; dancers and choreographers; costume designers; The year 1994 saw the publication of a working paper by physicians in diverse branches of medicine; actors, novelists; the American Association for Gifted Children, entitled “The technical advisors; musicians and composers; architects and Presidential Scholars: A Portrait of Talent and its Development.” designers; visual artists; non-profit managers, fundraisers, This study indicated that the support of parents and family singers, entrepreneurs, and foreign service officers. They are also members, and the encouragement of teachers were important family members, spouses and parents, and in their personal and factors in cultivating the gifts of the Presidential Scholars, and professional lives are helping to instill in new generations their that the Scholars approached their experiences and challenges commitment to excellence, their high ideals, and their devotion in ways that served to strengthen rather than impede the to service. Individually, they are shining lights in their respective development of their abilities. communities and fields of endeavor, and together they are a singular constellation of purpose, dedication, and achievement. 3 2009 PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS 6 2009 PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS 45 Years of Presidential Scholars 7 2009 PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS “You are exceptional “Through [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 third century. I trust WHAT THE as a nation - depends upon who [are this year’s] that you will contribute, PRESIDENTS the goals and the values Presidential Scholars, but through your scholarship by which we challenge the tens of thousands of and your practical HAVE SAID: ourselves. The average brilliant young Americans experience, new thought and the adequate are too whom these Scholars and new insights into our low as goals... Our aim represent and upon national wisdom. In this must be higher; our reach whose skill and vision the way you will strengthen must be farther; our pace American future rests... the American democracy must be faster. Our society The recognition you which all of us cherish. You and its members must aim receive is more important have got to think for, and reach toward, than a prize of material big, be big, act big, the goals and values of value. It is something that dream big, and above all, excellence. I honor you for money cannot buy. ... It accomplish big.” what I know you, and your is something also that you President Ford generation, will carry with you the rest will achieve in the of your lives, I hope years to come.” very proudly...” President Johnson President Nixon 8 2009 PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS 45 Years of Presidential Scholars “I’m very grateful to “You are America’s “This marks the highest “America depends on... “I want to thank you for have a chance to first future and symbolize her Scholastic honor a you to master the lessons the contribution you make of all congratulate you, greatest hopes. ... Your President can bestow, and we have recorded in to our Nation today, and and secondly to call on country has made an I am honored to bestow the past and to accept urge you on, because the you for continued help. enormous investment in it. For while already you the challenges that contributions you’ll make You’ve been chosen in you, and we’re relying have done much, I know will confront us in the tomorrow will be just as an intensely competitive on your energies and you will do more, and not future. ...Our quality important. As we face way, based on merit abilities to carry us for yourselves alone but of life during the next the challenges of a new alone. But of course, into the next century for nation and neighbor century will depend on the era, we must encourage with ... opportunity ... - free and strong and - learning, caring, creative reasoning and all young people to comes commensurate prosperous. Let this award helping education lead the the firm dedication of you develop their knowledge responsibility. And be both a recognition of way. ... [In] America the and your contemporaries. and skills, so that they since [as a Presidential past accomplishments definition of a successful ... I don’t see how anybody will have the necessary Scholar] you are at and a challenge to excel life must include serving could be concerned about foundation to thrive in least a temporary public in the years ahead. ... others. Well, that goes the future of this great a changing world. As servant... I hope when We’re counting on you to double for America’s best. country, looking at you, Presidential Scholars you you do go back home that understand and shape a Many have labored to reading your records, are role models for other you’ll be both incisive, better world...” share their knowledge knowing what you have young people throughout questioning, ... and President Reagan with you, and you can achieved.” our country. I encourage ... constructive.” give them no greater President Clinton you to build on your President Carter gift than to share your successes and continue to knowledge with others. ... expand your knowledge. Honor them by the lives By using your talents to you lead. And as you do..