2 GN Students Named Presidential Scholar Semi-finalists

Two Great Neck students have received one of the nation's highest honors for high school students, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

David H. Kim of Great Neck Great Neck South and and Julia Zhuang of Great Neck North were named to the semi-finalist list in January, according to the DOE website.

As many as 141 students are named as presidential scholars each year. 

Established in 1964 by executive order of the president, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognizes some of the nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors, according to the DOE website.

In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts.

To qualify, students must score exceptionally well on either the SAT of the College Board or the ACT of the American College Testing Program, based on tests taken during the two-year window that begins in September, 2010 and runs through October, 2012.

For the arts component, students must demonstrate academic achievement and participate in the National YoungArts Foundation's nationwide YoungArts program.