2019 Presidential Scholar candidates include two Arts Academy seniors
Creative writer Sophie Paquette and oboist Angela E. Scates are finalists for this prestigious honor.
Oboist Angela E. Scates (left) and creative writer Sophie Paquette (right) are among the nominees for Presidential Scholars in the Arts.
The National YoungArts Foundation has named Interlochen Arts Academy seniors Sophie Paquette and Angela E. Scates as two of the national semifinalists for U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts as part of the 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
Established in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was created to recognize and honor distinguished graduating high school seniors. Twenty of these scholars are designated as Presidential Scholars in the Arts, one of the nation’s highest honors for young artists.
As the only nominating agency for Arts Scholars, the National YoungArts Foundation selects finalists based on each student’s artistic and academic accomplishment as well as their commitment and contribution to their school and community. Paquette and Scates earned eligibility for this honor by receiving national YoungArts awards.
Semifinalists will be reviewed by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, who will then select the students to receive the honor of Presidential Scholar in the Arts.
The selected Scholars will be invited to participate in the National Recognition Program in Washington, D.C. this June, during which they will receive a Presidential Medallion and present their work at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.
Since 1964, a total of 45 Interlochen Arts Academy seniors have been recognized as Presidential Scholars in the Arts.
