Vol. 40, No. 26
CONTACT: JIM MORRIS |
June 21, 2006
Two Missouri Grads Are Honored
as 2006 Presidential Scholars
Two recent Missouri graduates have been selected as 2006 Presidential Scholars. They will be honored next week (June 24-27) in Washington, D.C.
Noel D. Ottman, from Lee’s Summit North High School, and James A. Benecke, from Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School, are among 141 members of the Class of 2006 to receive the prestigious award.
The Presidential Scholars Program was established by executive order of the President in 1964 to recognize some of the nation’s most distinguished high school seniors. The program expanded in 1979 to recognize students with exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts.
This year, one outstanding young man and young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico were chosen as Presidential Scholars. In addition, two students were chosen from families of U.S. citizens living abroad, 15 students were selected at large, and 20 students were chosen from the visual and performing arts.
This year’s Presidential Scholars were formally announced May 4 by U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings.