Thursday, April 14, 2005
Contact: Jessica Robinson, (573)751-0290
Blunt Announces Presidential Scholars Semifinalists
JEFFERSON CITY— Gov. Matt Blunt today announced Missouri’s semifinalists in the 2005 Presidential Scholars Program.
The program recognizes distinguished high school seniors based on academics and artistic success, leadership, and school and community involvement. A national review committee selected approximately 2,700 candidates and 550 semifinalists from across the United States. Applications for the program are by invitation only, students do not apply to the program nor do their schools nominate them.
Gov. Blunt has stressed the importance of education by including a $170.6 million funding increase for elementary and secondary schools in his proposed budget and commends the following students for their commitment to education. Missouri’s semifinalists are:
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Vellore S. Arthi, David H. Hickman High School, Columbia
Matthew W. Bond, Oak Park High School, Kansas City
John B. Hurst, Tarkio High School, Tarkio
Intelly S. Lee, Parkway Central High School, Chesterfield
Dianna Liu, Parkway Central High School, Chesterfield
Joseph M. Reardon, The Pembroke Hill School, Kansas City
Hannah M. Roeyer, Dora R-III High School, Dora
Claire E. Santoro, University City High School, St. Louis
Benjamin H. Shelton, David H. Hickman High School, Columbia
Diana Y. Zhou, Parkway Central High School, Chesterfield
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars is reviewing the lists of semifinalists. The Commission will select up to 121 Academic Scholars and up to 20 Arts Scholars. The finalists will be honored during the program recognition events held during June in Washington, D.C.