A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

     FOR RELEASE                            Contact:  Melinda Kitchell Malico      May 14, 1996                                     (202) 401-1576

1996 Presidential Scholars Named

President Clinton and U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley today announced the 33rd class of Presidential Scholars 141 high school seniors recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in academics and the arts.

They will visit Washington June 19 - 23 for a week of activities, including a ceremony where each student will receive a Presidential Scholar Medallion. A highlight of the week's activities includes a performance by several Scholars in the Arts at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in "A Salute to 1996 Presidential Scholars."

"We pay a great deal of attention to athletes and stars," Riley said, "but rarely notice the personal victories in the classroom. Thirty three years ago President Johnson, a former teacher, had the notion that at least once a year the nation should acknowledge and honor good scholarship. It's a marvelous tradition, and as secretary, a time I always look forward to."

A 32 member commission on Presidential Scholars made the final selection of scholars from among 2.6 million graduating high school seniors. The commission is appointed by the president and is comprised of distinguished citizens.

The 1996 scholars were selected for broad academic achievement, as reflected by SAT or ACT scores, essays and school transcripts, and for leadership, character and commitment to high ideals.

Twenty scholars also are being recognized for their accomplishments in the visual and performing arts, and creative writing. The arts scholars were selected by the commission from students who participated in the Arts Recognition and Talent Search, conducted by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.

The 141 Presidential Scholars include one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and from U.S. families living abroad; 15 at large and 20 scholars in the arts.

Since 1983, each Presidential Scholar has been asked to name the teacher who has had the greatest impact on his or her academic or artistic accomplishments. These educators also are invited to Washington to receive a certificate of excellence from the Education Department at a Distinguished Teachers Luncheon and to participate in the week's activities.

The recognition exercises are supported financially by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the General Motors Corp., and the Saturn Corp.