Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele went back to school this week as his office announced the 13-term state legislator is looking for nominees for the Presidential Scholars Program, founded by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964.
Twenty high school seniors from around the state, split evenly between females and males, will be nominated to the 2023 P.S.P. sweepstakes by New York State Education Department Commission Betty A. Rosa.
Each year up to 161 students from around the country are named U.S. Presidential Scholars, "one of the nation's highest honors for high school students," according to an explainer page on the U.S. Department of Education website.
Mr. Thiele issued a public plea for assistance on Sept. 28 when he asked local high schools in his district to send him potential nominees.
Seven New York high school students were Presidential Scholars in 2022, though none could boast of an East Hampton education.
General qualifications include outstanding scholarship, involvement and service in school and community, leadership and character, and writing ability.
Ms. Rosa will also consider a student's background, their workload and family responsibilities, among other criteria, as she considers students for nomination. The Education Department "is also interested in nominations that describe how the student's family, teachers, and administrators have better prepared him or her to succeed in college and career."
Ms. Rosa is additionally seeking candidates for "recognition for excellence" in career and technical education (C.T.E.) and will nominate up to five students in C.T.E. programs this year.
Interested parties are encouraged to send a recommendation of no more than two pages to Mr. Thiele that identifies a female and a male student for the Presidential Scholars Program, and also suggests a candidate for the C.T.E. award. Eligible students include high school seniors who will graduate before August 2023.
Nominees will be notified by mail if they've been invited to apply for the P.S.P. Once they apply, if indeed they accept invitation, they'll move on in a selection process in which the Commission on Presidential Scholars will eventually pick the 2023 winners.
They will get a Presidential Scholars medallion and recognition in an online awards event. A hug from Joe Biden, too? Unlikely, but perchance to dream.
Nominations can be sent to Mr. Thiele's district office at 3350 Noyac Road, Building B, Sag Harbor 11963 or emailed to [email protected].
