WWS Senior Named a U.S. Presidential Scholar

Wheaton Warrenville South High School senior Adam Erickson is one of 141 students to be named U.S. Presidential Scholars, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced Monday.

The 49th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars is comprised of high school seniors who have excelled in academics or the arts. Duncan said in a statement, "Presidential Scholars demonstrate the accomplishments that can be made when students challenge themselves, set the highest standards, and commit themselves to excellence... I'm honored to celebrate their creativity, hard work, and community service, and I encourage them—and all students—to continue to showcase the capacity for greatness in our nation's young people."

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, appointed by President Obama, selects honored scholars annually 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.

Of the three million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 3,300 candidates qualified for the 2013 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams, and through nominations made by Chief State School Officers or the National YoungArts Foundation's nationwide YoungArts™ competition, according to a news release.

Erickson scored a 36 on his ACT, took extra math courses at College of DuPage, was named a National Merit finalist and in 2012 received one of Wheaton's "Good Citizen" awards for his work as president of the Wheaton Warrenville South Key Club. He also led an effort to raise nearly $100,000 for cancer research.

The 2013 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young 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 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts.

Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored more than 6,000 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 2013 ceremony will be held June 16, when each honoree will receive a Presidential Scholar Medallion.

A complete list of 2013 U.S. Presidential Scholars follows and is also available here.

Read more about Adam Erickson: 

• Wheaton Honors 8 "Good Citizens" for Volunteer Services
• Wheaton Students Named National Merit Semifinalists
• 28 Wheaton Students to Receive PTA Scholarships
• Blog post: The Cancer Lab: Through a 17-Year-Old's eyes

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