MEDIA RELEASE

Gov. Linda Lingle has congratulated six Hawaii students who have been selected as semifinalists in the 2010 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The six students, three from Oahu, one from Maui and one from the Big Island, are among 560 semifinalists from across the nation.

Each year, up to 141 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students. The scholars represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America’s young people.

Hawaii’s Presidential Scholars semifinalists are:

* Lauren E. Clark, Seabury Hall
* Nolan M. Kamitaki, Waiakea High School
* Kathryn M. Lau, Punahou School
* Eric J. Liaw, Punahou School
* Caitlin E. Mori, Sacred Hearts Academy
* George H. Tang, Punahou School

“Hawaii is proud of these six outstanding scholars who have excelled academically and who have made positive contributions to their school and community,” Lingle said. “As these young Hawaii scholars continue their academic pursuits and prepare for their careers, I have great confidence that they will be strong leaders and role models in our state and nation.”

Of the nearly 3.2 million graduating high school seniors in the country, approximately 3,000 students were identified as candidates in this program. Only 560 semifinalists were selected.

Earlier this year, 42 Hawaii students were identified as Presidential Scholar candidates based on their academic accomplishments, including their scores on the College Board SAT or the ACT Assessment. The six Hawaii semifinalists will be among the pool from which the 2010 U.S. Presidential Scholars will be chosen.

The Presidential Scholars are expected to be announced next month.

Participation in the program is by invitation only; students do not apply individually, nor do their schools nominate them.