Teen hopeful for Presidential Scholar honors

SANDPOINT – Just over 50 high school seniors across the state are in the running for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, which recognizes and honors some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating students.

Sandpoint High School’s Adele Marchiando joins the ranks as the only student north of Coeur d’Alene to be considered for the prestigious honor.

“It’s exciting,” Marchiando said. “It kind of surprised me. I wasn’t sure how high of an SAT score I necessarily got – I knew that I did well, but I wasn’t quite sure of the comparison.”

Candidates were selected for earning top scores on the SAT and ACT exams, and also are evaluated for leadership and involvement in their schools and communities.

Marchiando said she was automatically added to the list of candidates after taking her SATs, though she now faces a grueling application process with the hopes of being named a semi-finalist in April, and a finalist in May. Finalists are awarded with a trip to Washington, D.C., in June for the National Recognition Program featuring events and enrichment activities, including the Presidential Scholars medallion presentation during a White House-sponsored ceremony.

If she is selected as a finalist, Marchiando said she looks forward to interacting with some of the prominent individuals in areas of sciences, art, politics and more who will be attending the event. With aspirations of going into engineering, Marchiando said it sounds like a “great” opportunity. Marchiando has applied to several colleges, and is waiting to hear from Northwestern University in Chicago, Washington University in St. Louis, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts. The specific field of engineering she chooses depends on the school she ultimately ends up going to, but is looking at mechanical systems or robotics.

Marchiando was also recently named a semi-finalist in the National Merit Scholarship program for her PSAT results, recognizing her in the top 1 percent of high school seniors in the nation. She will likely hear whether she made the list of finalists in the next month.

The Sandpoint teen enjoys acting and is involved in the school’s theater program. She is currently serving as the student assistant director in the upcoming production of “Annie,” which will be held around the end of April, she said. She also enjoys Academic Decathlon, and her team is preparing to go to state in March.

“We are currently the top scoring team in the state by a decent margin, so we are hoping to keep that,” Marchiando said.

SHS postsecondary counselor Jeralyn Mire said the school has had a few students make the list of candidates over the years, but never had a student chosen as a finalist. With her academic achievement, test scores, writing abilities and other qualifications, Mire said Marchiando has a good chance.

“She is just a remarkable young woman,” Mire said. “She is so talented in a variety of things, she is amazing, and she is so kind, such a good heart. She loves math and science and theater – just a good, varied background. I hope she gets to go all the way.”

The Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by executive order of the president. The program has since been extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts, as well as those who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.

“Idaho can be proud that so many bright, accomplished young men and women made the cut to qualify for this elite scholarship program,” Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra said in statement. “It represents hard work, commitment and excellence from our schools and teachers as well as our students.”

Semifinalists will be announced April 17, and two top students – one male and one female – from each state will ultimately be selected on May 7.

Up to 161 Presidential Scholars will be chosen to travel to Washington, D.C., June 23-25, where they will meet the president and have an opportunity to interact with distinguished scholars from around the country during three days of ceremonies, activities and forums.

Information: ed.gov/psp

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.