Thiele Seeking Presidential Scholars Nominations
New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele of Sag Harbor is seeking assistance from local high schools in making nominations for the Presidential Scholars Program. The Presidential Scholars Program was established by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964 and recognizes high school seniors on the basis of outstanding scholarship.
In 2015, The State Education Department Commissioner, MaryEllen Elia, will nominate 20 high school seniors—10 boys and 10 girls—from New York to be considered for this honor.
“As you contemplate the selection of your nominees, it may be helpful to consider what attributes the student possesses which make him or her stand out as having outstanding scholarship and what special challenges or obstacles the student has overcome while still achieving high academic success,” Thiele’s office advises. “In making the selection, the Commissioner will consider involvement and service in school and community, leadership and character, writing samples, academic achievements, heavy workload, family responsibilities and extraordinary achievement or large hurdles overcome. The Education Department is also interested in nominations that describe how the student’s family, teachers, and administrators have better prepared him or her to succeed in college and career.”
Additionally, Elia is seeking candidates for recognition for excellence in Career and Technical Education (CTE). She will nominate up to five students in CTE programs, considering academic rigor, technical competence, employability skills, as well as ingenuity creativity and real world problem solving.
Nomination letters, no longer than two pages each, may be submitted by September 25, 2015, to Assemblyman Fred Thiele at P.O. Box 3062, Bridgehampton, NY 11932 or [email protected]. Letters must include the student’s name, home mailing address and high school name and mailing address. Eligible students include high school seniors graduating between January and August of 2016 who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.
For more information about the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program and the Commission on Presidential Scholars please visit ed.gov/psp.