Meriden Student Honored As Presidential Scholar

MERIDEN, CT — A Meriden resident is one of three Connecticut students who have been named as a 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields. The recognition is one of the nation’s highest honors for graduating high school seniors.

Elizabeth Ann Wozniak of Meriden, an Orville H. Platt High School student, has been named a scholar for U.S. Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education.

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

“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,” Gov. Ned 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.”

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 extraordinary young people 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.

To learn more about the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, visit www.ed.gov/psp.