Alethia Tilford of Milwaukee one of two Wisconsin students named as U.S. Presidential Scholars

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on Monday, May 4th announced the selection of Nicholas Ngo of De Pere, Wisconsin, who attends De Pere High School in De Pere, and Alethia Tilford of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who attends Ronald Reagan College Preparatory High School in Milwaukee, as 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholars.

Ngo and Tilford are two of 141 outstanding American high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community. The U.S. Presidential Scholars will be honored for their accomplishments in Washington D.C., from June 21-23.

“Presidential Scholars demonstrate the accomplishments that can be made when students challenge themselves, set the highest standards, and commit themselves to excellence,” 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.”

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, appointed by President Obama, selects honored scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals. Of the 3 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 4,300 candidates qualified for the 2015 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams, and through nominations made by Chief State School Officers or the National YoungArts Foundation’s nationwide YoungArts™ competition.

The 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large and 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts.

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 given to honorees during the annual ceremony in D.C. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts.

Since 1983, each Presidential Scholar has been offered the opportunity to name his or her most influential teacher. Each distinguished teacher is honored with a personal letter from the U.S. Secretary of Education.

The teacher chosen for recognition by Ngo was Becky Hawley of De Pere High School, and Tilford selected Stacy Knetter of Ronald Reagan College Preparatory High School in Milwaukee.

FOX6's Deandra Corinthios talked with Tilford last week about her excitement after it was announced she was a Presidential Scholars semifinalist.