May 7, 2014
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education announced today that a student at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) and one student at Oxford High School have been selected as finalists in the 2014 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars named Desiree Carpenter of Bay St. Louis, a student at MSMS, and Yuqi Zhao of Oxford as finalists. They are among 141 high school seniors who demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community.
“This honor recognizes excellence among our nation’s brightest students, and I congratulate these students on this outstanding achievement,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education.
Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored more than 6,500 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 2014 ceremony will be held June 22, when each honoree will receive a Presidential Scholar Medallion.
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Communications Specialist
601-359-3519