ICYMI: U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos Names 6 Florida Students as 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars
Published on: May 21, 2020
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos Names 6 Florida Students as 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars
Washington, D.C. May 21, 2020 – U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today announced the 56th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars, recognizing 161 high school seniors for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields.
“It is my privilege to congratulate the Presidential Scholars Class of 2020 on their outstanding academic achievement, community service, and leadership,” said Secretary DeVos. “These exemplary young people have excelled inside the classroom and out. And, while they are facing unprecedented challenges as they graduate from high school into a world that looks much different than it did just a few months ago, their determination, resilience, and commitment to excellence will serve them well as they pursue their next steps.”
Of the 3.6 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,300 candidates qualified for the 2020 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT or ACT exams or through nominations made by Chief State School Officers, other partner recognition organizations and the National YoungArts Foundation’s nationwide YoungArts™ competition.
As directed by executive order of the President, the 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 scholars in the arts and 20 scholars in career and technical education.
The following is the list of the Florida 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars Recipients:
- Sage Croft, Windermere - Windermere High School*
- Alexander Grayson Dyer, Lithia - Newsome High School
- Helena Jiang, Gainesville - Buchholz High School
- Mia Sarah Palomba, Lake Worth - Alexander W Dreyfoos School of the Arts*
- Lauren Philip, Saint Johns - Creekside High School**
- Mallorie Sievert, Jacksonville - Douglas Anderson School of the Arts*
* Scholar for U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts
** Scholar for U.S. Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education
About the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored over 7,600 of the nation’s top-performing students. 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.