NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: February 4, 2019
JACKSON, Miss. – The 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program selected 76 Mississippi students as candidates for the national award.
Students that have been selected as candidates have an opportunity to be become one of the 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars. The scholars represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in young people.
All students that have made it to the candidacy level were mailed the necessary materials from the U.S. Department of Education to continue the next phase of the application process. The application process is a distinguished honor and by invitation only. Only students that have been selected as a candidate in each state received this invitation.
A national review committee of qualified individuals experienced in secondary and post-secondary education evaluates candidates on their academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities, and the quality and content of their essay. Semifinalists will be announced early April and the final scholars list will be announced in May. Scholars will be invited to Washington, DC, for several days in June to receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion at a recognition ceremony and to participate in events and activities.
“We are very proud of our 76 student candidates for the 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program and encourage them to complete the next phase of the process by returning all of the application materials they received from the U.S. Department of Education. This is a great honor and showcases the tremendous talents of our graduating seniors,” said Dr. Marla Davis, Director in the Office of Secondary Education at the Mississippi Department of Education.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by Executive Order of the President, to recognize and honor some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the Program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.
To confirm their interest and assist in the final selection process, all candidates must complete and return all candidacy materials they received from the U.S. Department of Education, which includes required essays, self-assessments, secondary school reports and transcripts. These materials must be received by the U.S. Department of Education U.S. Presidential Scholars Program no later than 4 p.m. Central on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. It is highly recommended that students submit all materials through the U.S. Department of Education’s On-Line Application System (OLAS) as noted in their application packet.
To view the complete list of candidates for Mississippi, visit https://www2.ed.gov/programs/psp/2019/candidates.pdf. Additional information about the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program can be found by visiting www.ed.gov/psp.
Questions concerning this year’s application can be forwarded via email to psp@scholarshipamerica.org or by phone to (507) 931-8345. Questions regarding the program can be forwarded via email to presidential.scholars@ed.gov or by phone to (202) 401-0961.
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Director of Public Relations
601-359-3519