Three Tennessee high school students named 2021 presidential scholars

The 57th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars includes three high school seniors from Tennessee, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced Thursday.

Of the 161 high school seniors recognized for outstanding achievements in arts and academics, three hail from the Volunteer State: Nelson D. Rose, student at Brentwood High School in Brentwood; Seo Yoon Yang, student at Signal Mountain Middle High School in Signal Mountain; and Alora E Young, student at Hillsboro High School in Nashville. Young is a U.S. Presidential Scholar in Arts, one of only 20 to receive the honor in 2021.

“The 2021 Presidential Scholars represent extraordinary achievements for our extraordinary times,” Cardona said. “I am delighted to join President Biden in saluting these outstanding young people for their achievements, service, character and continued pursuit of excellence."

Over 3.6 million students are expected to graduate from high school this year and more than 6,000 candidates qualified for the 2021 awards. Scholars are selected annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.

Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 scholars in the arts and 20 scholars in career and technical education.

The presidential scholars class of 2021 will be recognized for their outstanding achievement this summer.