DoDEA

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA — May 9, 2011 — A Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) senior, Tristan E. Fitch of Brussels High School in Brussels, Belgium has been named a 2011 U.S. Presidential Scholar. In April, Fitch along with Ryan Su, of Kinnick High School in Yokosuka, Japan and Steven M. Sullivan of Ramstein High School in Ramstein, Germany were named as Semifinalists in the program in the Americans Abroad category.

The 141 U.S. 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, as well as 15 chosen at-large and 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts. The students have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community. The 2011 U.S. Presidential Scholars will be honored for their accomplishments in Washington, D.C. from June 18-21.

The United States Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by the executive order of the President and has recognized over 6,000 students to date. In 1979 the program was extended to also recognize exceptional talent in visual, creative or performing arts. The program awards 141 students with Presidential Scholar Awards each year. This is one of the Nation's highest honors for high school students.

Students are Eligible to participate in the program if they are U.S. citizens and will graduate or receive a diploma between January and August of the current program year. They must also score exceptionally well on either the SAT or ACT during a two year window. Students must be invited to apply to the Presidential Scholars Program.

Students have the opportunity to become Presidential Scholars based on two paths of accomplishment. The majority of the Scholars are selected on the basis of broad academic achievement. Approximately twenty additional students are selected on the basis of their academic and artistic scholarship in the visual arts, the performing arts, or creative writing.

For more information on the Presidential Scholars Program please visit: www2.ed.gov/programs/psp

DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages pre-kindergarten through 12th grade education programs for Department of Defense (DoD) dependents who would otherwise not have access to a high-quality, public education. DoDEA schools are located in Europe, the Pacific, the United States, Cuba, Guam and Puerto Rico. DoDEA also provides support and resources to Local Education Activities throughout the U.S. that serve children of military families.