St. Louis Missouri

ST LOUIS MISSOURI NEWS (stlouismo.com) —Governor Matt Blunt today recognized 10 Missouri students who have been selected as the Missouri winners and semifinalists for the 2008 Presidential Scholars Program.

“I congratulate the 2008 Missouri Presidential Scholars and Semifinalists for their exceptional academic and artistic performance,” Governor Matt Blunt said.  “Education is my highest priority and the work and commitment of these young Missourians and their peers is a reflection of the bright future we expect for Missouri students.”

          The 2008 Missouri semifinalists are:

• Adam D. Ariel – Block Yeshiva High School, St. Louis
• Karina M. Bielecki – Central High School, Springfield
• Amelia M. Chivetta – Visitation Academy, St. Louis
• Daniel P. Cooper – Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School, St. Louis
• Kristen Z. Liu – Warrensburg High School, Warrensburg
• Daniel M. Ni – Columbia-Rock Bridge Senior High School, Columbia
• Elizabeth Y. Qin – Parkway Central High School, Chesterfield
• David J. Westrich – Notre Dame Regional High School, Cape Girardeau

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings announced the selection of this year’s scholars this month.  One young man and one young woman were chosen from each state as the 2008 Presidential Scholars.  Two high school seniors from Missouri are among 139 outstanding American students to be selected as 2008 Presidential Scholars. 

          The Missouri Presidential Scholars are:

• David A. Levary – Parkway Central High School, Chesterfield
• Kellyn N. Smith – St. Teresa’s Academy, Kansas City

The United States Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by Executive Order of the President, to recognize and honor some of the 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.  Each year up to 141 students are named Presidential Scholars, who represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in young people.  Candidates are identified for the academic part of the program based on exceptional scores on the SAT or ACT exams.  All of the scholars will be honored June 21-24 in Washington, D.C.

Education is Governor Matt Blunt's highest budget and policy priority, and he has increased funding for education every year he has been in office.  Including his budget recommendations approved by the General Assembly for Fiscal Year 2009, Governor Matt Blunt has delivered an increase of $1.2 billion for education since January 2005, ensuring that St Louis Missouri teachers and students have the resources they need to succeed.