JEFFREY BURKERT NAMED 2007 PRESIDENTIAL
SCHOLAR
U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings
today announced the selection of Jeffrey A. Burkert, of Spokane,
Wash., who attends Lewis & Clark High School in Spokane, as a 2007
Presidential Scholar.
Burkert is one of 141 outstanding American high
school seniors that have demonstrated exceptional academic
achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, and
service at school and in their community. The Presidential Scholars
will be honored for their accomplishments in Washington, D.C., from
June 23 to 27.
"The 2007 Presidential Scholars represent the
great gift we have in our nation's youth," Spellings said. "Their
academic achievement and their spirit of leadership and service will
ensure their success in the 21st century knowledge economy. They
exemplify the standard of excellence that we are striving for in all
our schools across the United States, and their skills, energy and
innovation will enable America to set a competitive pace in our
changing world."
Burkert enjoys being part of a team in music,
athletic and in scouts. An accomplished solo instrumentalist who
excels on the French horn, Burkett also stands out when performing
with an orchestra or symphony, including when he soloed with the
Spokane Symphony. While he has earned varsity letters and achieved
all-league honors in tennis, he thrives on his contributions to the
team. Burkert has earned the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout and
shares his gifts by leading a Boy Scout troop. He was captain of
his school's Knowledge Bowl team, the state champions, and helped
establish his school's Science Bowl team.
The 141 Presidential Scholars include one young
man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia
and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15
chosen at large and 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts. A
27-member Commission on Presidential Scholars appointed by President
Bush selected the Scholars 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.
For the past 43 years, this prestigious program
has honored over 5,000 of the nation's top-performing students. Of
the three million students expected to graduate from high school
this year, over 2,700 candidates qualified on the basis of
outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams, or
by nomination through the nationwide Young Artsā talent search
conducted by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.
The Presidential Scholars program was created
in 1964 to honor academic achievement. It was expanded in 1979 to
recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual,
literary and performing arts.
Since 1983, each Presidential Scholar has
invited his or her most inspiring and challenging teacher to travel
to Washington, D.C. to receive a Teacher Recognition Award from the
U.S. Department of Education and to participate in the recognition
events.
The teacher chosen for recognition by Burkert
was Dan Corr, of Spokane, Wash.