Wellington Named Candidate in US Presidential Scholars Program

, a graduating senior at , has been named one of more than 3,000 candidates in the 2012 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 3.2 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2012.

Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, now in its 48th year, is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities.

The 3,000 candidates were selected for their exceptional performance on either the College Board SAT or the ACT Assessment. In addition, each Chief State School Officer (CSSO) was invited to nominate one male and one female candidate, based on their outstanding scholarship, residing in the CSSO’s jurisdiction. Further consideration is based on students’ essays, self-assessments, descriptions of activities, school recommendations, and school transcripts. A distinguished panel of educators will review these submissions and select 500 semifinalists in early April.

The Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of some 32 eminent citizens appointed by the President, will make final selection of the scholars. They will select one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. students living abroad; 15 students at-large; and up to 20 students from the creative and performing arts.  The U.S. Department of Education will announce the Scholars in May.

Scholars will be invited to Washington, DC, for several days in June to receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion at a recognition ceremony and to participate in events and activities with their elected representatives, educators, and other leading individuals in public life.

Marion is the daughter of Chris Knudsen and David Wellington, of Los Gatos. She's LGHS associated student body president and student representative on theBoard of Education.

She's also a newscaster on the “News at Noon” at and works atin downtown Los Gatos. In her spare time, Marion sings, acts, produces, and directs both onstage and off.