Starkville High Seniors April Guo-Yue and Joshua Liddell have been named candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. As candidates, April and Joshua have an opportunity to become a U.S. Presidential Scholar. The application process is a distinguished honor and by invitation only. The scholars represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in young people.
Joshua has received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Joshua competes in SkillsUSA, recently winning regionals for prepared speech. He is also a competitive boxer.
April is currently conducting research with a team at Mississippi State University. She is also citizen scientist for World Wildlife, and she has coached the middle school robotics team. She is still considering her scholarship offers to decide where she plans to attend college.
A national review committee of qualified individuals experienced in secondary and post-secondary education evaluates candidates on their academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities, and the quality and content of their essays. Semifinalists will be announced in April, and Scholars in May.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.
