U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will give remarks and participate in the medallion ceremony honoring the 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholars at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, June 21, at 7:30 p.m. ET. He will congratulate the scholars, among the nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors, for their outstanding academic and artistic achievements, their leadership, and their public service. During the ceremony, each scholar will be presented with the Presidential Scholar Medallion on behalf of the White House.
On Monday, June 22, at 8 p.m. ET, the scholars will be honored again at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This event will highlight the 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, whose performances will feature original artistic collaborations created, composed, arranged, written, and choreographed by student artists.
Secretary Duncan announced the 141 U.S. Presidential Scholars of 2015 on May 4. The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, appointed by President Obama, selects honored 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.