Meet The 8 Presidential Scholar Semifinalists From Rhode Island

RHODE ISLAND — Eight Rhode Island high school seniors are semifinalists for the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, the Education Department recently announced.

The Rhode Island students, among 650 nationwide, are:

• Alicia Yan Chen, East Greenwich High School
• Naomi J Felix Monanci, Providence Career and Technical Academy
• Margaret Catherine Lauder, Portsmouth High School
• Ryan Steven Lukowicz, North Kingstown Senior High School
• Joshua J. Shin, Wheeler School, Providence
• Andrew Hobin Song, Wheeler School, Providence
• Victoria Spradlin, Wheeler School, Barrington
• Peter Leo Vachon Jr., Cranston High School West.

The program, established in 1964, recognizes and honors some of the nation's most accomplished graduating high school seniors.

The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional ability in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, it was expanded again to honor students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.

Each year, up to 161 students nationwide are selected to be U.S. Presidential Scholars. That announcement will be made by the Education Department in May.

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