Greenwich Student Named 2020 Presidential Scholar

GREENWICH, CT — A Greenwich High School student has been named a 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholar, one of the "nation's highest honors for graduating high school seniors." The news was announced by Friday by Gov. Ned Lamont and State Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona.

Cynthia Chen, a Riverside resident, was one of three students in the state awarded for their accomplishments in academics, the arts and career and technical education fields. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

The other two recipients from Connecticut were Brandon Demkowicz, a Farmington High School student, and Elizabeth Ann Wozniak, a Meriden resident who attends Orville H. Platt High School.

"We couldn't be more proud to have three young people from Connecticut receive one of the nation's top honors for high school students, and I offer my congratulations to Cynthia, Brandon and Elizabeth on this accomplishment," Lamont said in a statement. "They represent some of the very best of our state, and I applaud their perseverance and drive, which led to this national recognition."

The U.S. Department of Education selected the program's 56th class of 161 scholars from a national pool of 621 student semifinalists. Each student was nominated for their high academic performance and for "distinguishing themselves by overcoming hardships, achieving a unique accomplishment or demonstrating outstanding leadership," according to the announcement.

"These remarkable Connecticut students demonstrated high academic achievement in the face of extreme adversity, such as difficult family situations, mobility and immigration issues, and assimilating into a new culture and learning English, while attending school and working to help support themselves and their families," Cardona said in a statement. "Despite all of the adversity they faced, these students managed to continue achieving success in their academic lives, while also developing musical talents, participating in community service, pursuing varied and interesting career paths, and even excelling in athletics."

Cardona also noted the achievements of these three Connecticut students deserved to be acknowledged.

"We are proud of Cynthia, Brandon, and Elizabeth for their academic achievements, the strength of their character, their commitment to community, their leadership and their unwavering perseverance," Cardona said in a statement. "They are truly an inspiration to all of us and we congratulate them on this well-deserved honor."

Each year, the U.S. Department of Education invites states to nominate students for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The Connecticut State Department of Education invites school districts to recommend students for the program, and this year received the names of 51 students from 24 districts across the state.

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.

The Presidential Scholars Class of 2020 will be recognized for their outstanding achievement this summer as public health circumstances permit.

Further information about the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program can be found here.