Three Downers Grove South Students Named Presidential Scholar Candidates

Three students from South High School in Downers Grove have been named candidates in the 2013 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Emma Chaplin, Marjorie Fera and Ammar Kalimullah will compete with more than 3,000 students across the country for spots in prestigious program, which is one of the highest honors bestowed upon high school seniors.

All three students received perfect scores on their ACT college entrance exams last year.

READ: Four Downers Grove South Students Earn Perfect ACT Scores

“Emma, Marjorie and Ammar are so well deserving of this prestigious nomination, and we are extremely proud of them,” South High School Principal Steve Bild said in a statement. “They are well-rounded students, exceeding both academically and in their extracurricular pursuits.”

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, established in 1964, recognizes superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities.

The candidates were selected from nearly 3.4 million students expected to graduate this year, according to District 99 officials.

In early April, 500 semifinalists will be selected. The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars will then review the applications and select 121 Academic Scholars and up to 20 Arts Scholars.

All scholars will be honored in Washington D.C. in June.

For more information about the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, visit http://www.ed.gov/programs/psp/index.html.

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