Waldorf, MD – Justin Arter, a North Point High School senior, was recently named as one of 689 semifinalists in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Arter was chosen as a semifinalist for the U.S. Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education designation. Recognition through the program is one of the highest honors a graduating senior can receive. Semifinalists were selected from nearly 4,700 students who were initially selected to participate in the candidate process based on their SAT and ACT scores.
Arter, who is enrolled in the Criminal Justice program at North Point, is in the running for a finalist recognition. The Commission on Presidential Scholars reviews applications of all semifinalists and selects up to 161 Presidential Scholars each year. Scholars are selected in three areas of accomplishment: academic achievement, academic and artistic scholarship in the visual arts, and outstanding scholarship and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.
Finalists will be announced later this month. Arter is a top-performing student in the North Point Class of 2016. He maintains honor roll grades and currently has a 4.4 grade-point average. He is active in the North Point Skills USA chapter and served as president of the Maryland chapter last school year. Arter is enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) classes and will have completed eight AP courses upon graduation.
After he graduates, Arter will study mathematics at McDaniel College and plans to seek a career in federal law enforcement. He said his goal is to spend about 20 years in law enforcement, retire and then become an actuary.
La Plata High School senior Matthew Fan was also chosen as a candidate for the program based on his academic achievements. Identified candidates must complete the application process by submitting essays, self-assessments, secondary school reports and transcripts for review.
A total of forty students from each state – 20 boys and 20 girls – are identified as candidates for the program. A review committee evaluates candidates in areas such as academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities, and an analysis of their submitted essay.
Finalists will be honored during the National Recognition Program next month in Washington, D.C. The program was established in 1964 to recognize and honor the top nationwide graduating high school seniors for excellence in education. Visit http://www2.ed.gov/programs/psp/about.html for more information.
Charles County Public Schools provides 26,300 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 36 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
