Great Neck Senior Honored As U.S. Presidential Scholar

GREAT NECK, NY — A Great Neck high-schooler has been recognized as part of the 56th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars, federal education officials announced Thursday.

Benjamin Tanchoco Rossen of Great Neck South High School was one of just 161 seniors across the country to receive the honor, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said in a news release. The distinction recognizes their achievements in academics, arts and career and technical education fields.

"It is my privilege to congratulate the Presidential Scholars Class of 2020 on their outstanding academic achievement, community service, and leadership," said DeVos said in a statement. "These exemplary young people have excelled inside the classroom and out. And, while they are facing unprecedented challenges as they graduate from high school into a world that looks much different than it did just a few months ago, their determination, resilience, and commitment to excellence will serve them well as they pursue their next steps."

Five other New Yorkers also made the list:

• Nouhoum Koita, Fiorello H. Laguardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (Brooklyn).*
• Grant James GianGrasso, Clarence Central High School (Clarence, New York).
• Olivia Bigtree, Manlius-Pebble Hill School (Dewitt, New York).
• Sophia Lynn Li, Hunter College High School (New York, New York).
• George John Eliadis, Newburgh Free Academy (Newburgh, New York).

Scholars are chosen each year based on academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts. Community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals also factor into the selections.

The 2020 scholars are comprised of one male and one female 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.

More than 5,300 candidates qualified for the 2020 awards out of 3.6 million students who are expected to graduate this year. They were determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT or ACT exams, nominations made by Chief State School Officers, other partner recognition groups and the National YoungArts Foundation’s nationwide YoungArts competition.

The scholars program, created in 1964, has honored more than 7,600 of the nation's top students. The 2020 class will be recognized for their outstanding achievement this summer, as public health circumstances permit.