Julian Gewirtz '08 Named 2008 Presidential Scholar

Earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings announced that Julian Gewirtz '08 was selected as a 2008 Presidential Scholar.

Julian was featured in today's (Friday, May 30) New Haven Register. Click here to read the article.

The following is taken from the U.S. Department of Education press release:

    Gewirtz is one of 139 outstanding American high school seniors that have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, and service at school and in their community. The Presidential Scholars will be honored for their accomplishments in Washington, D.C. from June 21 to 24. 

    "The 2008 Presidential Scholars shine a bright hope on the future of our country," Spellings said. "Not only have these young graduates demonstrated exemplary discipline and achievement in academics and the arts, but they have also exhibited exceptional leadership and service to their local communities. Their commitment to excellence and contributions to society reflect the character and innovation necessary to keep America both competitive economically and collaborative in overcoming challenges within our global community."

    Gewirtz, a straight-A student with a 4.1 average, achieved a top score of 5 on all four AP exams taken. He is editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and founder of the U.S. - China Youth Forum, promoting the exchange of ideas among U.S. and Chinese teens. He studied and worked in Beijing in the summer of 2006, during which time he was interviewed, in Mandarin, on Chinese Central Television (CCTV), has interned with the Asia Society, and has published writing on China. In school, he has served as Class President, Chinese Club President, and head of peer tutoring. He is also involved with drama, varsity squash, and has served on his school's disciplinary committee.

    The 139 Presidential Scholars include on young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at large and 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts. A 29-member Commission on Presidential Scholars appointed by President Bush selected the Scholars based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.

    For the past 44 years, this prestigious program has honored over 5,000 of the nation's top-performing students. Of the three million students expected to graduate from high school this year, over 3,000 candidates qualified on the basis of outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams, or by nomination through the nationwide youngARTS^TM program conducted by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. 

    The Presidential Scholars program was created in 1964 to honor academic achievement. It was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate  exceptional talent in the visual, literary, and performing arts.

    Since 1983, each Presidential Scholar has invited his or her most inspiring and challenging teacher to travel in Washington, D.C. to receive a Teacher Recognition Award from the U.S. Department of Education and to participate in the recognition events. 

    The teacher chosen for recognition by Gewirtz was Gerard Casanova, of New Haven, Conn.
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Be sure to check back to learn more about Julian's trip to Washington with Mr. Casanova. Find out more about the Presidential Scholars: http://www.ed.gov/programs/psp/index.html