Two Richland One students named U.S. Presidential Scholars Candidates

Two Richland One students have been named as candidates for the highly prestigious 2016 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Seniors Sydney Proffitt and Emma Hurst of A.C. Flora High School have been invited to apply for one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students. Each year, up to 161 students are chosen as Presidential Scholars.

Sydney, who is in Flora’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, is

ranked number one in her senior class and holds an impressive list of accomplishments. In addition to being an AP Scholar with Honor, she is a National Merit Scholarship finalist, president of the National Honor Society and captain of the varsity volleyball team. Sydney is very active in her school and community. She serves as an assistant teacher at a camp for refugee children and spent her summer working as the co-coordinator for a mission trip to Honduras.

Sydney’s classmate, Emma, is also in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Emma is ranked in the top 5% of the senior class. During her junior year, she was named a Junior Scholar by Furman University, Wofford College, Columbia College, Presbyterian College and the University of South Carolina-Aiken. Emma, who is president of the A.C. Flora chapter of the International Thespian Society, participates in all school plays and musicals. She also volunteers for local and international service efforts through Saint John’s Episcopal Church.

The Presidential Scholars Program recognizes and honors some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors. Scholars are chosen based on their accomplishments in many areas, including academic and artistic success, leadership and involvement in their school and community. They represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in American’s youth. In June, Scholars will be invited to Washington, D.C. to participate in a national recognition program sponsored by the White House.