For Hub City Times

MADISON — Marshfield High School student Suhaas Bhat is one of 12 Wisconsin students chosen as semifinalists in the 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholar Program, one of the nation’s highest honors bestowed on a high school graduate.

The Presidential Scholar Program was established in 1964 to recognize and honor some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.

The students are among 621 Presidential Scholar semifinalists nationwide. Earlier this year, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program identified more than 5,200 candidates based on three paths of accomplishment. The majority of scholars are selected based on broad academic achievement as measured by the ACT and SAT college admissions exams.  Others are chosen for their ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields, or their academic and artistic scholarship in the visual arts, performing arts, or creative writing.

Names and supporting materials for semifinalists are forwarded to the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, which reviews the applications. The commission selects one male and one female scholar from each state, the District of Columbia, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and from families of U.S. citizens living abroad; up to 15 students chosen at large; 20 scholars in the arts; and 20 in career and technical education for a total of up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars.

Students chosen as Presidential Scholars will travel to Washington, D.C., in June, where they will meet with government officials, educators, authors, musicians, scientists, and other accomplished individuals. Presidential Scholars will have opportunities to visit area museums and monuments and have a chance to exchange ideas and build friendships with their peers. They also will receive a Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House.