Waupun Student Presidential Scholar Semifinalist

(Waupun) A Waupun student is among twelve Wisconsin students named as semifinalists in the 2019 U.S Presidential Scholar Program.  Katrina Pokorny, a senior at Waupun Senior High School joins 621 semifinalists nationwide selected from more than 5200 candidates.  One of the nation’s highest honors bestowed on a high school graduate, the U.S. Presidential Scholar Program was established in 1964 to recognize and honor some of the nations most distinguished graduating high school seniors.  Candidates are selected based on three paths of accomplishment.  Either via broad academic achievement measured by the ACT and SAT college admissions exams, based on their academic and artistic scholarship in the visual arts, performing arts, or creative writing, or in the case of Pokorny, based on ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.

Students chosen as Presidential Scholars will travel to Washington, D.C., in June, where they will meet with government officials, educators, authors, musicians, scientists, and other accomplished individuals. Presidential Scholars will have opportunities to visit area museums and monuments and have a chance to exchange ideas and build friendships with their peers. They also will receive a Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House.

A full list of Wisconsin high school senior semifinalists follows below.

  • Namitha Alexander, Brookfield, Brookfield East High School;
  • Suhaas M. Bhat, Marshfield, Marshfield High School;
  • Stephen Kearney, Whitefish Bay, Whitefish Bay High School;
  • Michelle Chen Li, Brookfield, Brookfield East High School;
  • Mohamed Mohamud Mohamed, Green Bay, Preble High School, Green Bay Area Public Schools;
  • Katrina Eileen Pokorny, Waupun, Waupun Senior High School;
  • Matthew E. Ryherd, Reedsburg, Reedsburg Area High School;
  • Anusha Sahai, Verona, James Madison Memorial High School, Madison Metropolitan School District;
  • Nikhita Santebennur, Brookfield, Brookfield East High School;
  • Anthony Joseph Sikorski, Hartland, Arrowhead Union High School;
  • Isaac Arnold Wells-Cage, Milwaukee, Ronald Reagan High School, Milwaukee Public Schools
  • Yining Zhou, Onalaska, Onalaska High School.