Old Lyme High Senior Named U.S. Presidential Scholar

Written By FEROZE DHANOA (Patch Staff)

Eric J. Pan was among one of 141 high school seniors across the country named a U.S. Presidential Scholar. He is a senior at Lyme-Old Lyme High School.

The 51st class of U.S. Presidential Scholars was announced May 4. The 141 high school seniors were recognized for their accomplishments in academics or the arts.

Pan cited his most influential teacher as Glenn Elliott of Niantic.

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, appointed by President Obama, selects honored scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals. More than 4,300 students qualified for the 2015 awards.

The 2015 Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large and 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts.

Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored almost 7,000 of the nation’s top-performing students with the prestigious award given to honorees during the annual ceremony in D.C. The 2015 ceremony will be held June 21, when each honoree will receive a Presidential Scholar Medallion.

“Presidential Scholars demonstrate the accomplishments that can be made when students challenge themselves, set the highest standards, and commit themselves to excellence,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in a press release.

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