Contact: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Monday, April 19, 2010

Two seniors in Fayette County Public Schools are among Kentucky’s 10 semifinalists in the Presidential Scholars Program, one of the nation’s greatest honors for high school students.

Caroline Smith of Henry Clay High School and Nicole Schladt of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School have advanced on the basis of superior achievements, leadership qualities, personal character and involvement in community and school activities. They are among 560 semifinalists chosen from more than 3,000 candidates nationwide. The winners will be announced in May.

The Presidential Scholars Program is a nonpartisan, public-private partnership designed to recognize and provide leadership development experiences. The scholars travel to Washington, D.C., in June for a week of educational, celebratory and fellowship activities.

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 academic component. Besides Smith and Schladt, FCPS had nine of Kentucky’s 48 candidates this year:

• From Henry Clay High School: Sarah Atkins, Amelia Hansen, Mattie Toma and Daniel Webb;
• From Lafayette High School: Raisa Tikhtman;
• From Paul Laurence Dunbar High School: Alexandra Fleischman, Josiah Hanna, Matthew Hensley and Alexandra Kiefer.

The Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 to honor the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, it expanded to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts.

The winners will include two students from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. students living abroad; as many as 20 students representing the arts; and 15 students at-large.

For more information, see www.ed.gov/programs/psp/awards.html.