DES MOINES, IOWA (May 7, 2019) — Today, US Department of Education officials announced four Iowans have been named to the 55th class of US Presidential Scholars, which recognizes 161 high-school seniors across the country for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields.
“Our education priorities recognize that tomorrow's future is sitting in today’s classroom,” said Governor Kim Reynolds. “That’s why we’re preparing our young people to be lifelong learners, who blaze new trails and chase opportunity at every turn. I applaud each of our four Iowa students on receiving this prestigious recognition.”
As directed by Presidential Executive Order, the 2019 US Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and US families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 Scholars in the Arts and 20 Scholars in Career and Technical Education.
Created in 1964, the US Presidential Scholars Program has honored over 7,500 of the nation’s top-performing students with an annual ceremony in Washington DC. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.
The 2019 ceremony will be held June 23, when each honoree will receive a Presidential Scholar Medallion.
Iowa members of the 55th class of US Presidential Scholars:
Astoria Chao, Cedar Falls — Cedar Falls High School
Colin McDonald, Tiffin — McDonald Home School
**Jaxon Mullinnix, Lone Tree — Lone Tree High School
**Megan Niewoehner, Hawkeye — Sumner-Fredericksburg High School
** Scholar for US Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education
A complete list of 2019 US Presidential Scholars follows and is also available at http://www.ed.gov/psp.
