Three East End Students Nominated For The Presidential Scholars Program

Three local students were recently nominated by Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. for the Presidential Scholars Program. Ms. Victoria Blydenburg of Westhampton Beach High School, Mr. Steven Shaw of William Floyd High School, and Ms. Siena Gates of Southampton High School are the three nominees.

“It was my pleasure to nominate these three outstanding local students to the prestigious Presidential Scholars Program,” stated Assemblyman Thiele. “They stand out as having academic success, leadership qualities, community involvement and extraordinary personal achievements.”

The Presidential Scholars Program was established by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964 and recognizes high school seniors on the basis of outstanding scholarship. This is one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students. By January 2017, The State Education Department Commissioner, MaryEllen Elia, will nominate 20 high school seniors — ten females and ten males — from New York to be considered for this honor. In addition to those nominations, Commissioner Elia will nominate up to five students in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.

“I am proud to represent such fine students in the First Assembly District and wish them the best of luck as the nomination process continues” added Assemblyman Thiele.

Students chosen as U.S. Presidential Scholar Finalists will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in June 2017 and will be presented with the U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House.

For more information about this Program, visit www.ed.gov.