Radnor High School Student Named U.S. Presidential Scholar

Radnor High School senior Katherine Hung has been selected as a 2016 U.S. Presidential Scholar, the district recently announced.

Hung, who will attend Harvard University in the fall, joins just 160 other high school seniors from across the country who qualified for the award.

She was one of more than 5,600 qualified candidates and one of just two in Pennsylvania selected. The 52nd class of scholars will be recognized at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on June 19, when each honoree will receive a Presidential Scholar Medallion.

The district reports this is the second year in a row a student from Radnor High School has earned the prestigious honor. "The award is one of the highest that can be bestowed upon a graduating high school student in the nation," the district said.

"This year's class of Presidential Scholars continues a more than 50 year trend of honoring students who've shown excellence in their educational, artistic and civic pursuits," U.S. Secretary of Education John King said in a news release announcing the scholars.

Hung was selected based on her scholastic and/or artistic achievement, demonstrated leadership ability, community service, strong character and commitment to high ideals, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

In addition to becoming a U.S. Presidential Scholar, Katherine is currently involved in Future Business Leaders of America, the "Radnorite" newspaper, and Model United Nations. Outside of school, she spends time working for the Hats 4 Hope Foundation and pursuing her third degree black belt, the district said.

Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored almost 7,000 of the nation's top-performing students with the prestigious award.