Palos Verdes Student Named U.S. Presidential Scholar

PALOS VERDES, CA — A Palos Verdes student was named a Presidential Scholar Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Education.

Lauren Kong, a senior at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, was among 10 California students honored for their academic excellence. The Department of Education named a total of 161 high school seniors to the 55th class of Presidential Scholars.

The four other Los Angeles County honorees are:

• Alaman Diadhiou of Brentwood School;
• Charles Kogen of Harvard-Westlake;
• Annette Doeun Lee of Polytechnic School in Pasadena; and
• Yunhee Park of Oakwood School in Valley Village.

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars chooses each annual class based on their academic achievements as well as their demonstrated community service and leadership. More than 5,200 students qualified for this year's class, according to the Department of Education. Candidates either qualified through their SAT and ACT scores or were nominated by each state's education officials.

The Department of Education and the White House will honor the Presidential Scholar class next month in Washington, D.C. Each student will receive a U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion during the ceremony.

"I want to congratulate this year's class of Presidential Scholars on their achievement both inside of the classroom and out," said Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. "Their hard work and commitment to excellence, no matter what challenge they are tackling, will serve them well throughout their lifelong learning journeys."

City News Service contributed to this post