Peninsula High Student Named Presidential Scholar

One of less than 200 students recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for academic accomplishments, 's David Wang was named a Presidential Scholar last week, marking the second year in a row a student from the school earned the honor.

Wang, of Rancho Palos Verdes, will travel to Washington, D.C. in June with Peninsula English teacher Jill Verenkoff to attend the annual ceremony, where Verenkoff will also be given a Teacher Recognition Award from the Department of Education. Last year's Presidential Scholar from Peninsula, David Tang-Quan, also chose Verenkoff as his "most influential teacher." 

Wang is one of 141 high school seniors from across the country in the 48th class of Presidential Scholars, announced by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan May 2.

"David Wang is a brilliant young man who excels in all that he does," Peninsula Principal Mitzi Cress said in a statement. "He has distinguished himself in scouting, Academic Decathlon, Model United Nations, science research, math and the humanities. He has an amazing ability to look at any situation as an opportunity to problem solve. We are beaming with pride at Peninsula High."

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects the group of students annually based on academic success and community service, among other factors. 

The 2012 Presidential Scholars class includes one man and one woman from each state, in addition to 15 chosen at-large and 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts. Kathryn Siegel from Harker School in San Jose was also named one of the state's Presidential Scholars. 

"Honoring Presidential Scholars is an important celebration of students showing the dedication, creativity and ambition to become future leaders," Duncan said in a statement. "As national, state and local leaders work side by side with principals, teachers, and parents to make our schools better, we can learn from the students all around us whose hard work and accomplishments embody the kind of excellence we want every child to achieve."