Cleveland High School senior Sarah Barnette was named a nominee for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Ms. Barnette is one of ten Tennessee students selected out of hundreds of nominations. She will now compete with applicants from across the country. Ms. Barnette serves as President of the CHS Student Government Association, plays in the marching and concert bands as well as the Chattanooga Youth Orchestra, and was crowned CHS Homecoming Queen this year. She is the daughter of Jamie and Jennifer Barnette of Cleveland.
Cleveland High School Principal, Autumn O’Bryan, said, “Sarah is a remarkable representative of Cleveland High School. We are proud of her leadership and thrilled for her recognition as a Presidential Scholar."
The Presidential Scholars program is among the nation’s most distinguished honors for high school students. Established by President Johnson in 1964, the Presidential Scholars Program has honored almost 7,000 of America’s top-performing students. The program was expanded in 1979 by President Carter to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary, and performing arts. Each year, the program recognizes two high school seniors from each state and 15 scholars at-large on the basis of excellence in scholarship. An additional 20 scholars are selected for exceptional talent in the arts.
Students selected as the official nominees from Tennessee are invited to complete the national Presidential Scholars application.
Round 1: October 1, 2015: Each high school principal nominates one student to serve as a state finalist for the Presidential Scholars program.
Round 2: October 2015: A state selection committee reviews applications and selects 10 students to serve as nominees from Tennessee.
Round 3: February 2016: The Tennessee nominees complete the national Presidential Scholars application to compete with their peers across the country.
Round 4: April 2016: The national Presidential Scholars program announced semi-finalists from across the country.
Round 5: May 2016: The national Presidential Scholars program selects the national winners. Winners will receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in June.