Admitted Student is 2003 Presidential Scholar

May 8, 2003

May 8, 2003, Greencastle, Ind. - Zachary B. Marquand, a senior at Farragut High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, who has decided to attend college at DePauw University in the fall, has been named the male 2003 Presidential Scholar for the state of Tennessee. Marquand is one of 137 outstanding high school seniors to be so honored this week by U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige. The scholars, who are recognized for their achievements in academics or the arts, will visit Washington, D.C., June 21 through June 26, to be honored at a recognition ceremony where each will receive a Presidential Scholar medallion.

"These young Americans are proof of what students can achieve when met with high academic standards, challenging expectations, and high-quality teaching," Paige said. "They have excelled in their classes and extracurricular activities, shown leadership and character, and contributed to their communities. These scholars are examples to us all of the great potential that lies within our children and our schools."

A 32-member Commission on Presidential Scholars made the final selection from a field of over 2,600 candidates. Appointed by the president, the commission is composed of leaders in education, medicine, law, social services, business and government.

The 2003 Scholars represent the 39th class of Presidential Scholars and join more than 4,800 past honorees. The scholars were selected on the basis of broad academic achievement, including SAT or ACT scores, essays and transcripts, as well as evidence of leadership, community service and commitment to high ideals.

The 137 winners include one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, with an additional 15 Scholars chosen from at-large. Another 16 are being recognized particularly for their accomplishments in the visual, literary or performing arts. These scholars in the arts are selected by the commission from students chosen through the annual nationwide Arts Recognition and Talent Search® (ARTS), conducted by the program's non-profit partner, the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.

Since 1983, each Presidential Scholar has been able to invite the teacher who has most inspired him or her to travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in the program's National Recognition Week. Zach Marquand selected John Beckett. Marquand, who scored a perfect 1600 on the SAT and was recently named an Academic All-American in swimming, plans to be a member of DePauw's swim team.

Read the announcement of this year's Presidential Scholars by clicking here.

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