Zavier Santino Chavez, a senior at Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts, is among 160 students nationwide named as 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholars, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Education.
"I want to congratulate this year's class of Presidential Scholars on their achievement both inside of the classroom and out," U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said in announcing the scholars. "Their hard work and commitment to excellence, no matter what challenge they are tackling, will serve them well throughout their lifelong learning journeys. I have no doubt that many of tomorrow's leaders are among this year's class of scholars."
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars each year based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals, the release states.
Of the 3.6 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,200 candidates qualified for the 2019 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams or through nominations made by Chief State School Officers, other partner recognition organizations and the National YoungArts Foundation's nationwide YoungArts™ competition.
The 2019 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.
On June 23 each honoree will receive a Presidential Scholar Medallion.