On May 8th, 2018 PALCS senior William McGregor was officially named a United States Presidential Scholar in the Arts. The PALCS community was delighted when he was nominated back in February, and this talented young man has been the deserving focus of two student spotlight articles: one and two. PALCS CEO Dr. James Hanak was at the Advanced Ideas center in West Chester, PA on May 9 for a ceremony to congratulate William on this true honor.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars award is one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students who exemplify academic excellence. It is presented on behalf of the President of the United States and honors up to 161 graduating seniors of high potential each year. 20 of those recipients, including William, are Presidential Scholar of the Arts winners. They were selected from the YoungArts program winners, and were nominated by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars and selected based on academic and artistic excellence, leadership qualities and community service.
As a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts, McGregor will join the other U.S. Presidential Scholars from across the country in Washington, D.C. They will meet June 24 – 26 for the annual National Recognition Program, during which all Scholars receive a Presidential Medallion presented on behalf of the President of the United States.
On Monday, June 25, the Arts Scholars will present their work to the public at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts through a special performance at 8 p.m. in the concert hall titled, “A Salute to the 2018 U.S. Presidential Scholars.”
A full list of 2018 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts can be found here. William was also just featured in a philly.com article here.
After graduation, William will be attending Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. The conservatory is one of the most selective institutes of higher education with a 4.8% admission rate.
PALCS would like to offer huge congratulations to William and his family for all their hard work up to this point and offer best wishes for all the future successes to come! We are honored to have William and the McGregor family represent PALCS.
