Eric Lai, a graduating senior at General Douglas MacArthur High School, has been named a candidate in the 2005 Presidential Scholars Program. Of the nearly 2.8 million students expected to graduate from United States high schools across the nation in 2005, less than 0.1 percent are selected to participate in this prestigious program.

Now in its 41st year, inclusion in the Presidential Scholars Program is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities. The candidates selected are chosen for their exceptional performance on either the College Board SAT or the ACT Assessment. Further consideration is based on students' essays, self-assessments, descriptions of activities, school recommendations and school transcripts. A distinguished panel of educators will review these submissions and select 500 semifinalists in early April.

The Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of some 32 eminent citizens appointed by President Bush, will make the final selection of the Scholars. They will select one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and US students living abroad; 15 students at large; and up to 20 students from the creative and performing arts. The U.S. Department of Education will announce the Scholars in May.

Scholars will be invited to Washington, DC for several days in June to receive the Presidential Scholars medallion at a recognition ceremony and to participate in events and activities with their elected representatives, educators and other leading individuals in public life.

The staff and students at General Douglas MacArthur High School are very proud of Eric's accomplishment, which is just another in a long list of accolades that have already been awarded to this fine senior.

"MacArthur High School is proud of Eric Lai for this amazing accomplishment which is a first for the school," said Principal John Bifolco. "Eric is not only a gifted scholar, but a fine young man as well, and his teachers from elementary school at East Broadway through middle school at Salk and now here at MacArthur join in celebrating this honor."