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.