York's Ryan McDonough Named to Presidential Scholars Program

York High School senior Ryan McDonough was selected as candidate for the U.S. Presidential Scholars program, Elmhurst District 205 Superintendent David Pruneau announced at Tuesday's School Board meeting.

Pruneau received a letter from the executive director of the program announcing Ryan is one of about 3,000 students nationwide identified based on SAT and ACT scores. In April, 500 semifinalists will be chosen, and from those, about 140 will be named U.S. Presidential Scholars.

Scholars are chosen based on their accomplishments in many areas: academic and artistic success, leadership and involvement in school and community. They also must demonstrate excellence in education and represent the promise of greatness, Pruneau said.

Presidential Scholars are guests of the Commission during National Recognition Weekend and enjoy an expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., to meet with government officials, educators, authors, musicians, scientists and other accomplished people. Scholars will visit museums and monuments, and attend recitals, receptions and ceremonies. To commemorate their achievement, the Scholars are awarded the U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House.

Presidential Scholars are asked to identify teachers who have most influenced them, and those teachers are also invited to attend national recognition weekend, where they are presented with the Teacher Recognition Award.