May 12 update: The 2009 Presidential Scholars were announced last week, and although neither Greg Atherton nor Daniel Borup made the list, simply being selected as a semifinalist was a tremendous accomplishment for each of them, given the extraordinary level of competition. For this year's list, click here. A minimum of two are selected for each state, with several at-large and arts scholars chosen as well. Illinois led the nation with six Presidential Scholars.

URBANA — Earlier this winter, seniors Greg Atherton and Daniel Borup were invited to be candidates in the prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Now, they have been named semifinalists.

In the Presidential Scholars Program, only 2,600 students are invited to be candidates each year. Students are not allowed to apply for candidacy, nor can schools nominate anyone. The invitations are extended on the basis of students' SAT or ACT scores.

The highly selective program was established in 1964. Administered by the U.S. Department of Education, it does not award scholarships; instead, it is a recognition program that honors top high school seniors for their achievements.

"I am really excited to have been named a semifinalist," said Borup. "Being nominated itself is a great honor, of course, but being named semifinalist means that all of the hard work of submitting the application was worthwhile."

Out of the 2,600 candidates, only 561 semifinalists are selected. According to Borup, all candidates had to fill out a demanding application consisting of a two-page single-spaced essay and five half-page prompts.

"While it seemed like a lot of work at the time, it also allowed me to really get across what I feel
is a good picture of myself for the judges to see," said Borup. "I felt like my application was really strong when I submitted it, so I did have high hopes for the semifinalist round, and was extremely happy when I got the notification!"

Now that Atherton and Borup are semifinalists, they will need to submit a photo, 150-word biography, and optional 200-word mini essay on service/volunteerism. This information is not used for judging, but instead used for creating a yearbook of the Presidential Scholars.

In order to select the Presidential Scholars, all semifinalist applications will be sent to the Commission on Presidential Scholars for closer review. In May, 141 Presidential Scholars will be named.

The winners are treated to an expense-paid week in Washington, D.C., during which they meet with government officials, educators, authors, musicians, scientists, and others accomplished in their fields. They may also invite a teacher who has had great influence on them.

During their time in the nation's capital, the winners visit museums and monuments, and they attend recitals, receptions, and ceremonies. The highlight of the week is a White House ceremony at which they receive their Presidential Scholars medallion. The invited teachers are honored at a special ceremony as well.

The last Uni student to be named a Presidential Scholar was Amy Chew, who graduated in 1999. She invited now-retired Latin teacher Frances Newman to make the trip.

Seven years later, Katie Carmody ('06) went on to become a semifinalist.

The Presidential Scholars Program has given its top honor to fewer than 6,000 students during its four-decade history, making it one of the most prestigious awards a high school senior can receive.

"I felt like I was able to do a good job of representing myself well in the application, and especially the essay, which I wrote about the role of music in my life," said Borup. "I am really just excited for the chance of being a Scholar!"