Porter-Gaud School senior Anne Cai has been chosen as a 2010 U.S. Presidential Scholar.
The honor goes to outstanding American high school seniors who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, and service at school and in their community.
The 141 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of one man and one woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large and 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts.
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars appointed by the President selected the scholars based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.
Students chosen as Presidential Scholars receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in June and the Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by theWhite House. During their visit to Washington, scholars have access to national and international government officials, educators, authors, musicians, scientists and others.
Of the three million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 3,000 candidates qualified on the basis of outstanding performance on the College BoardSAT and ACT exams, or by nomination through the nationwide YoungArts competition conducted by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.
Students are invited to apply for the award based on their scores on the SAT or ACT exam. Aric Berning who attends Aiken High School was the state’s male winner. Uchechi Kalu of Orangeburg and Jake Ross of Greenville, both of whom attend the South Carolina Governor’s School for Arts & Humanities in Greenville, were named U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts.