A student from Sandy Creek High is one of 123 high school seniors in Georgia selected as a candidate in the 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
Helen Smith has been chosen as a candidate for the U.S. Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education. She is one of only five students in the state under consideration for the honor in career and technical education. Earlier in the school year, Smith was selected by Sandy Creek High to submit a nomination for the prestigious award based on her demonstrated ability and accomplishment within her career and technical program at the school.
Smith is the only student from Fayette County under consideration for a U.S. Presidential Scholar award.
The program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments in many areas: academic success, leadership, and service to school and community. In 1979, it was expanded to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was expanded once again to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical fields.
Each spring, the Commission on Presidential Scholars names up to 161 distinguished graduating high school seniors as U.S. Presidential Scholars. Being selected as a U.S. Presidential Scholar is one of the highest honors the nation’s high school students may receive.
Students selected as 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholars will receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House during the National Recognition Program (NRP) in Washington, DC. As guests of the Commission, students will receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., and will attend a series of events held in their honor.
