U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced this week the selection of Eric Li as a 2014 U.S. Presidential Scholar.
Eric is one of 141 outstanding American high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community.
“Eric is an exceptional student and a gracious gentleman who cares deeply about his work and who never fails to give his very best,” wrote one of Eric’s teachers. “His thinking is always original and he revels in building complex arguments.” Said another faculty member, “Eric is utterly kind, genuinely caring, unwaveringly modest, unflaggingly happy, and deeply committed to improving the welfare of everyone around him. He is an intellectual giant with the heart of a giant as well.”
Of the three million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 3,900 qualified for the 2014 awards determined by outstanding performance on the SAT and ACT exams, and through nominations made by Chief State School Officers or the National YoungArts Foundation.
The 2014 Scholars comprise one male and one female from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as well as fifteen chosen at-large and 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts.
Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored more than 6,500 of the nation’s top-performing students, and in 1979 was expanded to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary, and performing arts.
Since 1983, each Scholar has been offered the opportunity to name his or her most influential teacher who is honored with a personal letter from the Secretary of Education. Eric chose Academy history faculty member and 10-12 Division Head Sonia Roth for the honor.
The 2014 recognition ceremony will be held on June 22 in Washington, D.C. where each honoree will receive a Presidential Scholar Medallion.
Earlier this year Eric and Jessica Grubesic ’14 were named Semifinalists in this year’s program. See related story here.
Congratulations Eric, Jessica, and Ms. Roth!
