INPERSON
Standout
Student
Honored
NASH Senior Julie Chen
named a 2017 United
States Presidential
Scholar by the U.S.
Department of
Education.
BY NICOLE TAFE
F
ranklin Park’s Julie Chen has her
sights set on a big and bright future.
Graduating from North Allegheny
this year, Julie was named a 2017 United
States Presidential Scholar by the U.S.
Department of Education. She is one of
only 161 American high school seniors
selected for the prestigious honor.
The White House Commission on
Presidential Scholars selects honored
scholars annually based on academic
success, artistic excellence, essays,
school evaluations and transcripts,
as well as evidence of community
service, leadership and demonstrated
commitment to high ideals.
Of the 3.5 million students expected
to graduate from high school this year,
more than 5,100 candidates qualified
for the 2017 awards as determined by
outstanding performance on the College
Board SAT and ACT exams, and through
nominations made by Chief State School
16 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | North Allegheny
Officers, other partner recognition
organizations, or the National YoungArts
Foundation’s nationwide YoungArts
competition.
The 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholars
are comprised of one young man and
one young woman from each state, the
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
and from U.S. families living abroad,
as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 U.S.
Presidential Scholars in the Arts, and 20
U.S. Presidential Scholars in Career and
Technical Education.
“I’m beyond thankful for all the
opportunities NA has given me,”
says Julie. “The supportive teachers,
administration and parents truly make
anything possible.”
She learned about the scholarship
from her AP English teacher, David
Morris, after earning a 36 on her ACT
last year. Exactly one year later, she was
invited to apply and asked Morris to
provide her teacher recommendation.
“I would not have received this
achievement without Mr. Morris’
support and the hours and effort he put
into my recommendation,” she notes.
Julie’s portion of the application
consisted of five essays ranging from
1,600 to 7,000 characters. The essays
concerned personal development,
analysis of a creative work (she chose
Voltaire’s “Candide”), leadership skills
and overcoming challenges.
The most notable prompt asked
Julie to upload any picture and write a
7,000-word essay about it. “I uploaded a
meaningful, candid photo of me and my
inner-city pen pal, Twyla,” she recalls.
“My essay explored the journey of our
friendship, through exciting field trips
and moments of trouble. I highlighted
the lack of funds at her school and ended
with a description of my fundraiser for
individual school supply baggies for each