Brighton Snow receives honor

Three Oklahoma students have been named U.S. Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students, by the U.S. Department of Education.

Oklahoma's 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars in Arts are Brighton E. Snow of Washington, who is graduating from Washington High School, as the 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education.

Aishwarya Swamidurai of Oklahoma City, who is graduating from Classen School of Advanced Studies and Isaac Walker of Sapulpa, who is graduating from Holland Hall School. are the other two.

“These accomplished students serve as an example of dedication, hard work and leadership for their schools and the state of Oklahoma,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister. “We are proud of Aishwarya, Isaac and Brighton, and I am confident that they will continue their excellence in even more impactful ways.”

Each year, up to 161 graduating seniors are named Presidential Scholars for their accomplishments in academics, the arts and career and technical education fields.

From nearly 3.7 million graduating high school seniors across the country, only approximately 5,000 students were identified as candidates in the program. Seven Oklahoma seniors were selected as semifinalists. 

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by executive order of the President to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors.

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.

The Presidential Scholars Class of 2022 will be recognized for their outstanding achievement this summer with an online recognition program.