Contact: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Connie Wu, a senior at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, is one of Kentucky’s three Presidential Scholars for 2009. This designation is one of the country’s highest accolades for high school students.

The 141 honorees have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship and community service. They will travel to Washington, D.C., in June for several days of educational, celebratory and fellowship activities.

Kentucky’s six semifinalists also included Jennifer Grasch of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School.

Besides Wu and Grasch, Fayette County Public Schools had 13 other Presidential Scholar candidates among the 47 statewide, including:  

• From Paul Laurence Dunbar High School: Alayna Boland, Leslie Davis, Pavitra Muralidhar, Kevin Overall and Michael Shen.
• From Lafayette High School: Ittai Eres, Brittany Fenner and Evan Shirley.
• From Henry Clay High School: Margaret Lafalce, Rachel Looff, Sarah Looff, Margaret Lutz and Erin Wrightson.

 All graduating seniors who are U.S. citizens and have scored exceptionally well on either the SAT or the ACT are automatically considered for participation in the Presidential Scholars Program, which was established in 1964. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. For more information, visit www.ed.gov/programs/psp/index.html.