Sayre Senior Selected as Candidate for U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
Sayre School senior Ramzi Hamdalla has been selected from nearly 3.6 million students as a candidate in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
Inclusion in this program, now in its 54th year, is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities.
Ramzi fits the bill and then some.
A straight-A student with a 4.16 weighted GPA, he scored 36 on the ACT with 800 in Chemistry and Math II and 790 in Physics. He also has taken 10 A.P. classes and scored 5s on his first six A.P. tests.
He’s a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist, a National Honor Society member, an AP Scholar with Distinction, a member of the National Mathematics Honor Society and the winner of the American Scholastic Mathematics Association competition in 2015-2016.
He speaks Arabic and Spanish and he has traveled to the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey. Recent books he has read include “Nanophysics and Nanotechnology” and “Photovoltaics.”
A University of Kentucky research intern, he is assisting with studies related to improving solar energy through carbon nanotubes.
His lengthy list of extra-curricular activities includes math and chess club plus volunteer work at the One Parent Scholar House. He also formed the Livestream Club and League of Legends, an online gaming club.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize the nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors.
Annually, up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen from among that year’s senior class. All Scholars are invited to Washington in June for the National Recognition Program, featuring various events and enrichment activities and culminating in the presentation of the Presidential Scholars Medallion during a White House-sponsored ceremony.
A distinguished panel of educators will review submissions and select 600 semifinalists in early April. The Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of up to 32 eminent citizens appointed by the President, will select the finalists. The U.S. Department of Education will announce the Scholars in May.