Schools
MacArthur Senior Named Presidential Scholar Candidate
Helen Zhang is the second student from the district selected as a candidate for the award.
LEVITTOWN, NY - From Levittown Public Schools: General Douglas MacArthur High School senior Helen Zhang from the Levittown Public Schools was selected as a 2018 Presidential Scholar candidate in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program from the United States Department of Education. Zhang joins MacArthur High School senior Christian Hernandez, also a candidate in the program, for his accomplishments in the Career and Technical Education field at Gerald R. Claps Career and Technical Center.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 to recognize and honor some of the nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students. Candidacy is based on outstanding performance on the ACT Assessment or the College Board SAT and nominations.
Zhang has displayed her strong academic skills throughout her high school career. She challenges herself each year with Advanced Placement exams and has received scores of 98 or higher on all her regents and final grades.
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“Helen Zhang is unlike any student I have worked with over my 15-year career as a High School Counselor,” said guidance counselor Stacy Phillips. “Helen’s ability to see beyond the text, beyond the questions and the simple answers is quite frankly put remarkable. Her memory and attention to detail is unmatched by any student I have ever worked with.”
In addition to her academic achievements, Zhang is also heavily involved in her school community. Among her many extracurricular activities, she collects recyclables throughout the school, participates in the school musical’s pit orchestra and is a valued member of MacArthur’s Science Olympiad team and Science Research program.
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“By being designated a candidate for the Presidential Scholars Program, this is just another feather in her cap,” said Principal Joseph Sheehan. “Aside from her plethora of amazing accomplishments throughout her academic career, what’s even more impressive is her modesty, compassion and desire to be successful both in school and within the community. She is a model representative of the MacArthur High School family.”
Photo courtesy of the Levittown Public Schools
