MONTPELIER — Vergennes Union High School’s Jared Birchmore has been nominated along with three other Vermont high school seniors by Vermont Department of Education officials to the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
Vermont Secretary of Education Armando Vilaseca announced the four selections at a Dec. 20 press conference and reception at the Vermont Statehouse. Each state is invited to nominate students for the program, and Vilaseca said Vermont was happy to announce its selections.
“Our schools took this opportunity to shine the light on some talented young Vermonters, and I am proud to submit four names to the program,” Vilaseca said.
Vermont also nominated Rachel Kiefaber of Rutland High School, Rebecca Rouleau of Spaulding and Michael Hoffert of U-32.
All four students commented on what the honor meant to them:
•  Birchmore said, “The nomination to this program has shown me I can achieve great things and continue to challenge myself in future endeavors.”
•  “I feel humbled by the nomination,” said Kiefaber. “Because I realize there is a myriad of driven students throughout Vermont, who always put in the extra effort in academics and extracurricular activities.”
•  Rouleau said, “I am truly appreciative of this honor because it means that I have been acknowledged for doing my best and that is a wonderful feeling.”
•  “My first thought when I heard I was selected as a nominee was how grateful I am to have been given the opportunities that led up to this nomination,” said Hoffert. “Participating as a member of the robotics team and endurance sports are two that stand out.”
Application to the program is by invitation only. The year of their graduation from high school, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program invites students to apply based on their scores on their SAT or ACT exam, and/or their nomination by a chief state school officer.
2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The program was established in 1964 by executive order of President Lyndon Johnson, to recognize and honor some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.
More information about the Program is available at http://1.usa.gov/1beUJXq.