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Awards and Recognition

Presidential Scholars 

Vermont Presidential Scholars Program 

The Vermont Presidential Scholars Program is a statewide recognition of student citizenship, academic, artistic, and leadership excellence. Students are recognized in three categories: General, Arts, and Career Technical Education (CTE). Each of these categories has different selection criteria, guidelines, and applications.  

For all categories, schools can decide their own process for selection and are encouraged to make this information available to students when appropriate. 

The Vermont Presidential Scholars recipients in the General and CTE categories who meet the federal requirements will be invited by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) to apply for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. 

General Category

Outstanding students were selected based on nominations from teachers and administrators, but students may also nominate themselves. As a state that values student agency, we encourage student self-nomination.  

2024 Presidential Scholars, General Category  

Christopher Alfano, Burr and Burton Academy  

Sarah Ali, Burlington High School  

Matthew Califano, Craftsbury Academy  

Maura Connelly, Middlebury Union High School 

Hannah Cunningham, Rice Memorial High School  

Nadja Douoning, Winooski Middle High School  

Baxter Harrington, Middlebury Union High School  

Lily Hutcheson, Burr and Burton Academy  

Maya Jones, South Burlington High School  

Myles Lahue, Burr and Burton Academy  

Molly Luikart, Long Trail School  

Peyton Metruk, Bellows Free Academy (Fairfax) 

James Redding, Long Trail School  

Farren Stainton, Woodstock Union High School 

Malayna Sweet-Werneke, Bellows Free Academy (Fairfax) 

Arts Category 

Outstanding students were selected based on nominations from teachers and administrators, but students may also nominate themselves. As a state that values student agency, we encourage student self-nomination. 

Honorable Mention 

Kaeleb Berthiaume, North Country Union High School 

Ezra Goss, Lyndon Institute 

Charli Kellaway, North Country Union High School 

Hailey Messier, Essex High School 

2024 Presidential Scholars, The Arts  

Lily Hutcheson, Burr and Burton Academy 

Greta Ketterling, Burlington Technical Center 

Apolina Mbeleci, Burlington Technical Center/Winooski High School 

Callum Robechek, Montpelier High School 

Josie Rowell, Lyndon institute 

Career Technical Education (CTE)

Honorable Mention 

Cooper Joseph Hodgeman, North Country Career Center 

Elizabeth Vaughan, River Bend Career and Technical Center 

2024 Presidential Scholars: Career Technical Education (CTE) 

Ayowunmi Phoebe Adewuyi, Burlington Technical Center 

Emma Cosgrove, Stafford Technical Center 

Kennedy Desautels, Burlington Technical Center 

Luca Karki, Center for Technology, Essex 

Angkith Pradhan, Center for Technology, Essex 

Previous Years Winners 

U.S. Presidential Scholars Program 

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative, 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 Vermont Presidential Scholars recipients in the General and CTE categories will be invited by the U.S. Department of Education to apply for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.   

Please note that in the General category, the federal program only allows states to submit nominations for up to 10 students identifying as male and 10 students identifying as female; Vermont is not allowed under U.S. Department of Education rule to submit names of students identifying as non-binary or those who choose not to identify. Additionally, all nominees must be high school seniors graduating between January and June of 2024 who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent Vermont residents.