The South Dakota Department of Education is seeking candidates for the state’s nominations for U.S. Presidential Scholars. The program was established by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.

The mission of the program is to recognize and honor outstanding high school seniors, and further encourage high achievement among all students. Since 2016, outstanding students who demonstrate excellence in CTE are also included for recognition.

This year each Chief State School Officer can nominate up to 20 students in the traditional Scholars program: 10 males and 10 females. Additionally, up to five students in CTE can be nominated. All high school seniors with an ACT composite score of 30 or higher graduating between January and June of 2022 who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents and who attend public, parochial, or independent schools, as well as those who are home-schooled, are eligible.

To submit a nomination for the U.S. Presidential Scholar Program, nominators must submit a Program Application Form by 5 p.m. CT on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Learn more and submit nominations at https://doe.sd.gov/scholarships/USPSP.aspx.