2015/05/18 – Two Mississippi students have been named 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholars.

Luke Eckstein, a senior at St. Aloysius High School in Vicksburg, and Meaghan Lee, a senior at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Ridgeland, were selected by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, according to a press release Monday by the Mississippi Department of Education.

They are among 141 high school seniors nationwide who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, scholarship, contribution to school and community, and accomplishments in academics or arts.

“This honor recognizes the achievements of our nation’s brightest students who fully commit themselves to excellence,” said Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “I congratulate these students for earning this national recognition.”

Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored close to 7,000 of the nation’s top-performing students with the prestigious award given to honorees during the annual ceremony in D.C. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts

The 2015 ceremony will be held in Washington, D.C., on June 21, when each honoree will receive a Presidential Scholar Medallion.

Source: The Clarion-Ledger