Princeton High School Senior Named U.S. Presidential Scholar For Artwork

Princeton High School senior Victoria Gebert has been recognized by President Barack Obama as an accomplished sculptor.

Gebert is one of 141 young scholars across the country who received a 2015 United States Presidential Scholars Award, the U.S. Department of Education announced this week.

Her artwork will be on display at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. She and the other honorees will be presented with Presidential Scholar Medallions at an official ceremony on June 21.

“I was actually sitting in math class when I found out,” Gebert said. “I knew names were being announced in early May, but it didn’t really sink in until I saw the list and realized my name was on it! It’s actually still sinking in that I get to go down to D.C. and show my art in the Kennedy Center.”

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, appointed by Obama, selects top-performing high school seniors for the prestigious award based on such factors as academic success, artistic excellence, essays, and evidence of community service and leadership. The program has been in place since 1964.

“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. “These scholars are poised to make their mark on our nation in every field imaginable: the arts and humanities, science and technology, law and medicine, business and finance, education and government—to name a few. Their academic and artistic achievements reflect a sense of purpose that we should seek to instill in all students to prepare them for college, careers, civic responsibilities, and the challenges of today’s job market.”

Although she is being recognized for her accomplishments as a sculptor, Gebert is also passionate about psychology and music.

“I’m super passionate about sculpture, but I also love allowing my other artistic and academic passions to inform my art,” Gebert said. “My love for psychology and music should never come second to my art - they can all go hand-in-hand. I hope to be able to pursue all three in some combination at Yale next year.”

While Gebert will be on stage and receive all the attention for the next few weeks, she was extremely thankful for the support she’s received and the environment in which she grew up.

“I grew up in a safe, supportive town and received an incredible amount of love and learning from family, teachers, and friends, so I would be pretty misguided if I thought this was all me,” Gebert said. “I’m especially grateful to all the educators in my life - I don’t know where I would be without all the intellectual curiosity and knowledge they shared with me.”