BY JENNY GOLDSBERRY

Camryn Sheen, a senior at Weber High School, has been named one of the candidates in Utah to compete in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. She was selected from nearly 3.6 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2022.

Each year, over 5,000 candidates are identified for the component of the program that focuses on academic achievement and is based on having scored exceptionally well on the SAT or the ACT. Eligible students are U.S. citizens and legal permanent U.S. residents graduating or receiving a diploma between January and August of the current program year, who have taken the SAT or ACT Assessment on or before the preceding October. The highest test score (from a single test administration) is identified. Superscores are not used. The scores associated with the top 20 male examinees and top 20 female examinees are used to select candidates from each state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and from families of U.S. citizens living abroad. Also, each Chief State School Officer may nominate ten male and ten female candidates based on their outstanding scholarship. Additionally, the program is partnering with several recognition organizations that will each nominate up to 40 candidates from their individual programs. Camryn was nominated by her Chief State School Officer to be a candidate because of her outstanding scholarship.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments. It was expanded in 1979 to recognize students demonstrating exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program expanded once again to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical fields. Since 1964, the program has honored almost 8,000 scholars. Annually, up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen from among that year’s senior class, representing excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America’s youth.

A distinguished panel of educators will review these submissions and select approximately 600 semifinalists in early April. The Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of up to 32 eminent citizens appointed by the President, will select the finalists, and the U.S. Department of Education will announce the Scholars in May.

U.S. Presidential Scholars are honored for their accomplishments during the National Recognition Program each June. To commemorate their achievement, the scholars are awarded the Presidential Scholars Medallion.

Camryn has volunteered with the Red Cross, North Ogden Nature Center, and the Golden Spike 9/11 Memorial. In addition, she’s been on the 4.0 honor roll for the last three consecutive years. She also plays on the lacrosse, cross country/track and field, and wrestling teams. As a result, she’s been awarded All-State for lacrosse and cross country.