GLENVIEW, IL — Glenbrook South High School graduate Ian Chiu has been named a 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholar, joining 161 high school graduates recognized nationwide.
The U.S. Department of Education announced the Glenview resident's selection in an October news release. The program recognizes students for achievements in academics, the arts, career and technical education, leadership and service to their schools and communities.
Chiu also selected Glenbrook South teacher Jill Serikaku as his most influential teacher. Educators chosen for that distinction receive a personal letter of recognition from the U.S. secretary of education.
Scholars are selected based on academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations, transcripts, community service and leadership, according to the department.
More than 6,400 candidates qualified for the 2026 awards through outstanding performance on the SAT or ACT or nominations by chief state school officers. The department said approximately 3.9 million students graduated from high school this year.
The program's annual honorees include one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. families living abroad. Additional selections include 15 at-large scholars, 20 scholars in the arts and 20 in career and technical education.
Established in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored approximately 8,000 students. It expanded in 1979 to recognize achievements in the visual, literary and performing arts, and again in 2015 to include career and technical education.
Scholars have been able to recognize their most influential teachers since 1983.
More information is available through the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
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