Cole is a candidate

Morris Community High School senior Jaymee Cole recently learned she has been named one of 3,000 candidates in the 2012 United States Presidential Scholars Program.

Cole’s candidacy is based on her outstanding performance on the ACT Assessment. Jaymee scored a perfect score of 36 on her ACT last spring. Jaymee is the first MCHS student to be named as a candidate for the United States Presidential Scholar Program.

“When I received the letter explaining the program I was very excited. I did not even know about the Presidential Scholar program. I got online to check out my competition and quickly noticed for Illinois most of the candidates were from large schools, like Naperville.” said Cole.

Approximately 20 females and 20 males are selected as candidates from each state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and from families of U.S. citizens living abroad.

Cole is in the process of completing her candidacy materials for review, including essays, self-assessments, secondary school reports and transcripts.  A review committee will evaluate the candidates on their academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities, and the quality and content of their essay. Approximately 500 candidates are named semifinalists.

Jaymee commented, “All three of the essays are very open-ended. For one of them I have to upload a picture and explain why it is important to me.”  

In April, the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars reviews the applications of all semifinalists, applying the same criteria used by the review committee. The Commission selects up to 121 Academic Scholars and up to 20 Art Scholars.

All scholars are honored for their accomplishments during the National Recognition Weekend, held in June in Washington, D. C. During this trip, U.S. Presidential Scholars are guests of the Commission and enjoy an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to meet with government officials, educators, authors, musicians, scientist and other accomplished people. Scholars have the opportunity to visit museums and monuments, and to attend recitals, receptions, and ceremonies. To commemorate their achievement, the Scholars are awarded the Presidential Scholars Medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House.

Cole has narrowed her college list to four and waits to hear from the admissions department from two of them so she can make her final decision. She will major in International Law and minor in Political Science.