Pointer named U.S. Presidential Scholar
<p class="p1">Gainesville High School valedictorian Thomas Pointer has been selected as a 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholar. Only one male and one female from each state are selected for the award. These students will be honored for their accomplishments June 18-20 in Washington, D.C.</p><p class="p1">Thomas is one of only 161 American high school seniors chosen as U.S. Presidential Scholars. Students selected have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship and contribution to school and community.</p><p class="p1">Of the 3.5 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,100 candidates qualified for the 2017 awards determined by outstanding performance ont he College Board SAT and ACT exams, and through nominations made by chief state school officers, other partner recognition organizations or the National YoungArts Foundation’s nationwide YoungArts competition.</p><p class="p1">Thomas was one of only 723 students selected out o<span class="s1">f 5,100 students identified as possible candidates from across the nation. To be considered, he completed and submitted candidacy materials for review, including essays, self-assessments, secondary school reports and transcripts. He was selected based on his academic achievements, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities and the quality and content of his essay. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored more than 7,000 of the nation’s top-performing students with the prestigious award given to honorees during the annual ceremony in D.C.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Since 1983, each U.S. Presidential Scholar has been offered the opportunity to name his or her most influential teacher. Each distinguished teacher is honored with a personal letter form the Secretary of Education. Thomas chose Catherine McKinzie, Gainesville High School English teacher.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Thomas, the son of David and Michelle Pointer of Gainesville, graduates high school Friday, May 12, and will attend Yale University in the fall.</span></p>
Thomas Pointer
