U.S. Department of Education Honors Seven New York Students as 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars

The U.S. Department of Education recognized seven New York State high school seniors as U.S. Presidential Scholars, State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced. The Presidential Scholar recognition is one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.

“Each of these awardees is an example of the limitless potential of our young people to achieve excellence when given the opportunity to do so,” Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said. “I congratulate them on this superlative recognition of their academic excellence and leadership in school and in their communities.”

“I often say that New York has some of the very best students and our seven U.S. Presidential Scholars are absolute proof that our state’s future is bright,” said Commissioner Rosa. “These honorees have demonstrated exceptional academic success, artistic excellence, or career skills. I am proud of their hard work and excited to see the amazing heights they will reach in life.”

The full text of the USDE news release is below:

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona today announced the 58^th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars, recognizing 161 high school seniors for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields.

The New York scholars include (hometown, scholar, school, location):

• *NY – Bronxville – Grace Gramins, Bronxville High School, Bronxville, New York (U.S. Presidential Scholar in Arts).
• *NY – Brooklyn – Anya Graciela Jiménez, Professional Performing Arts School, New York, New York (U.S. Presidential Scholar in Arts).
• NY – Irvington – Brooke Dunefsky, Irvington High School, Irvington, New York.
• NY – Jericho – Ethan Anthony Chiu, Syosset High School, Syosset, New York.
• *NY – New York – Eason Rytter, Fiorello H. Laguardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts, New York, New York (U.S. Presidential Scholar in Arts).
• NY – New York – Eileen K. Ye, The Brearley School, New York, New York.
• *NY – Rye – Sean Yu, Rye High School, Rye, New York (U.S. Presidential Scholar in Arts).

“Our 2022 Presidential Scholars represent the best of America, and remind us that when empowered by education, there are no limits to what our young people can achieve,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “Today, I join President Biden to celebrate a class of scholars whose pursuit of knowledge, generosity of spirit, and exceptional talents bring our nation tremendous pride. Throughout one of the most trying periods in our nation’s history and amid our recovery from the pandemic, our students have once again demonstrated their strength and that they have so much to contribute to our country. Thanks to them, I know America’s future is bright.”

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as a demonstrated commitment to community service and leadership.

Of the 3.7 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,000 candidates qualified for the 2022 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT or ACT exams or through nominations made by chief state school officers, other partner recognition organizations and YoungArts, the National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists.

As directed by Presidential Executive Order, the 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 scholars in the arts and 20 scholars in career and technical education. 

Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored over 7,900 of the nation’s top-performing students. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.

The Presidential Scholars Class of 2022 will be recognized for their outstanding achievement this summer with an online recognition program.

A complete list of 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars is available on the U.S. Department of Education's website.