Lexington One student named 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholar

LEXINGTON, SC – Lexington County School District One and River Bluff High congratulate Qiang Zhang for being named a U.S. Presidential Scholar. This prestigious award program is administered by the United States Department of Education.

Each year the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, appointed by President Obama, selects honored scholars based on their academic success, 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, only 141 students are given the esteemed title of U.S. Presidential Scholar. Students chosen as U.S. Presidential Scholars receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in June where they are presented with a U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House.

“Qiang is an amazing young woman who demonstrates excellence in the arts and academics. An accomplished strings player and a strong academic student, Qiang also thrives on opportunities to serve her school and community. She is a shining star for River Bluff High, Lexington County School District One and South Carolina. We wish her well in her future endeavors,” said River Bluff High Principal Luke Clamp.

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This year’s 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.

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The program was created in 1964 and has honored almost 7,000 of the nation’s top-performing students with the prestigious award presented to honorees during the annual ceremony in Washington, D.C. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts.

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“Presidential Scholars demonstrate the accomplishments that can be made when students challenge themselves, set the highest standards and commit themselves to excellence,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. “These scholars are poised to make their mark on our nation in every field imaginable: the arts and humanities, science and technology, law and medicine, business and finance, education and government to name a few. Their academic and artistic achievements reflect a sense of purpose that we should seek to instill in all students to prepare them for college, careers, civic responsibilities and the challenges of today’s job market.”

For more information visit the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.