U.S. Presidential Scholars

Four Students U.S. Presidential Scholars
Posted on 12/12/2018
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Four Carson High School (CHS) students were recognized as being named candidates as U.S. Presidential Scholars.There were two categories for the recognition: academic and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Presidential Scholars. CHS Senior Sophia Peterson was selected for the academic category and the CTE candidates announced were CHS students Maritza Filson, Briana Sanchez and Crystal Vargas.

Twenty three students from CTE were initially nominated by their CTE teachers. Filson, Sanchez and Vargas were earned the candidacy as CHS US Presidential Scholars based on their academic rigor, technical competencies, employability skills and ingenuity and creativity. For the CTE component, students were initially selected based on their accomplishments in career and technical education fields.

Each school is able to nominate up to five candidates who meet the U.S. Presidential Scholars candidacy requirements. Candidacy materials are mailed to the selected students, and they are invited to apply to the program.

To be considered further, candidates are required to submit application materials, including essays, self-assessments, secondary school reports and transcripts. Candidates are evaluated on their academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities and an analysis of their essay.

In late March 2019, 60 CTE semifinalists will be chosen by an independent, national committee of educators convened by the Commission on Presidential Scholars. In April, the Commission on Presidential Scholars will make the final selection.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts.

In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.

Click here to view the entire Superintendent’s Report to the Carson City School District Board of Trustees.

Individual Student Bios:

Senior Maritza Filson is creating the planting and irrigation plan for the Carson City Community Garden in cooperation with The Greenhouse Project. She is also the Grow Chamber Manager at Carson High School focusing on Urban Agriculture.

Senior Sophia Peterson spearheaded the Mock Trial program at Carson High School and has been Speech and Debate Captain for two years. She received her certificate of Skill Attainment for Graphic Design and has studied for the past two summers at Middlebury College in Vermont, in an Arabic Immersion program.

Senior Briana Sanchez uses her leadership, collaboration and problem-solving skills as Cadet Commander of the NJROTC unit at Carson High School. Her work centers around inspiring, motivating and nurturing cadets' commitment to the ideals and principles of NJROTC.

Senior Crystal Vargas created and proposed an Emergency Medical Preparedness Plan for Carson High School and established a partnership between the Carson High School HOSA chapter and the Nevada Medical Reserve Corp.