Polk County Public Schools is proud to announce our honorees for the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
The U.S. Department of Education initiative recognizes high school seniors for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education (CTE). Each year, up to 161 students are named Presidential Scholars at the national level. It is considered “one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.”
Eligible PCPS students are those who are in good academic standing, who either score high on the SAT/ACT or demonstrate achievement in CTE programs.
Congratulations to our district winners for 2024: Eric Brown from Winter Haven High, and Kendall King from Bartow High. They will represent PCPS at the state level for the Presidential Scholars Program.
We also congratulate these outstanding Polk County students named as finalists this year:
- Auburndale High: Madelynn Harbuck, Celestial Harris
- Bartow High: Jasmine Perry
- Davenport High: Jacyra Ahmed, Alec Moszenberg
- Discovery Academy: Sam Duncan, Sina Sangsurt
- Fort Meade High: Jordan Spradlin, Adamarys Roblero
- Frostproof High: Garrett Davis, Wilhelmina Ullrich
- George Jenkins: Emma Abdoney, Tyson McLaws
- Haines City High: Johanna Cornejo, Eden Silva
- Harrison School for the Arts: Anna Cheng, Paola Valle-Jimenez
- International Baccalaureate Bartow: Porter Brown, Abraham Medina
- International Baccalaureate Haines City: Abrar Amin
- Kathleen High: Patience Colvin, Zoser Lee
- Lake Gibson High: Caitlynn Robertson, Candice Sampey
- Lakeland High: Kenneth Shamblin
- Lake Region High: Anika Donohue, Isaak Winkle
- McKeel Academy: Alina Sullivan, Juleigh Urbina
- Mulberry High: Christian Cortes-Daza, Aubrey Jackson
- Polk Virtual School: Gage Gilroy, Yoly Rodriguez
- Ridge Community High: Florenta Qallaku, Ivey Wilson
- Ridgeview Global Studies Academy: Thomas Nikel, Jaydon Washington
- Tenoroc High: Clayton Fussell
- Traviss Technical College: Collin Jacobs
- Summerlin Academy: Enrique Maltos, Chris Sempert
- Winter Haven High: Joel Johnson
“Every year we look forward to announcing our district’s Presidential Scholars,” said John Miller, a PCPS curriculum specialist for Accelerated Programs. “These are exceptionally bright and talented students, and some of the most distinguished graduating seniors in our community. We’re proud to have them represent Polk County Public Schools.”