Utica Community Schools senior named finalist for U.S. Presidential Scholars program

A Utica Community Schools senior has been named a candidate in the 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholars program.

Nicholas Weingartz, a student at Stevenson High School and Utica Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology, was selected from nearly 3.4 million students expected to graduate from U.S. High Schools this year.

Weingartz is also a National Merit Finalist and was honored last year for achieving a perfect ACT score of 36. He is the son of Timothy and Norma Weingartz of Washington Township.

Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars program, now in its 51st year, is one of the highest honors bestowed upon high school graduates.

More than 3,900 candidates across the nation were selected for their exceptional performance on either the College Board SAT or ACT assessment.

Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities.

Further consideration is based on students’ essays, self-assessments, activities, school recommendations and transcripts.

A distinguished panel of educators will review these submissions and select 560 semifinalists in early April.

The Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of up to 32 eminent citizens appointed by the President, will make final selection. They will chose one young man and one young woman from each state, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. students living abroad; also 15 students at-large and up to 20 students from creative and performance arts. The U.S. Department of Justice will announce the Scholars in May.

Honorees will be invited to Washington, D.C. in June to each receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion at a recognition ceremony and participate in special events and activities.