Six NH seniors named semifinalists in U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

CONCORD, NH — Considered one of the nation’s highest honors for graduating high school seniors, six New Hampshire students have been named semifinalists in the 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. 

The semifinalists include: Sydney Buffett of Bedford High School, Aaron R. Joy of Phillips Exeter Academy, William Longtin of Hollis/Brookline High School, Sam McLaughlin of Spaulding High School, Sora Shirai of Hanover High School and Kelly Zhang of Oyster River High School. 

“These New Hampshire seniors should be commended for their commitment to academics and their noteworthy achievements throughout the past four years and beyond. It is apparent that their talent and devotion inside and outside of the classroom will lead to many exceptional accomplishments in the years to come,” said Frank Edelblut, education commissioner. “New Hampshire is pleased to have such an outstanding cohort of students chosen for this prestigious program, and this recent honor should be celebrated.”

New Hampshire’s six semifinalists join an elite group of 628 semifinalists from throughout the nation who are being recognized for their outstanding achievements in academics, the arts, leadership, school and community involvement and career and technical fields; there were more than 5,000 candidates for this year’s program. The Commission on Presidential Scholars will select the finalists, and the U.S. Department of Education will announce the Scholars in mid-May. 

More information is available at http://www.ed.gov/psp.