Senior Ryan Wang Named One of 161 US Presidential Scholars

More than 3.7 million students will graduate high school in 2022. Of this group, only about 5,000 students are selected as candidates for the United States Presidential Scholars Program. And of that elite group, only 161 students are named US Presidential Scholars — one of the highest honors a high school student can receive. This year, that includes Greenhills senior Ryan Wang.

“This is such an honor,” said Wang. “I woke up, saw the email, and I ran to tell my mom — I was so surprised.”

Scholars are selected by The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars each year based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as a demonstrated commitment to community service and leadership. Wang excelled in each of these areas while serving as student body president, captain of the varsity tennis team, co-captain of the Ethics Bowl team, Model UN co-secretary general, founder of a financial literacy nonprofit, and president of the Economics Club who led the team to the national finals.

“What’s really great is Ryan is not only wicked smart, but a tremendous young man,” said Greenhills Head of School Peter B. Fayroian. “He embodies everything a Greenhills student ought to be, and he has made our community a better place.”

Wang is as modest as he is effusive when reflecting on those who’ve supported him along the way at Greenhills.

“I really don’t think there’s another community where I would have thrived the way I did here,” said Wang. “The teachers really supported me and went above and beyond the classroom; I’ve had opportunities to take on a lot of leadership roles; and the entire community has been wonderful.”

The list of 2022 Presidential Scholars was announced on Thursday, May 14, and includes one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 scholars in the arts and 20 scholars in career and technical education.

“Our 2022 Presidential Scholars represent the best of America, and remind us that when empowered by education, there are no limits to what our young people can achieve,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “Today, I join President Biden to celebrate a class of scholars whose pursuit of knowledge, generosity of spirit, and exceptional talents bring our nation tremendous pride. Throughout one of the most trying periods in our nation’s history and amid our recovery from the pandemic, our students have once again demonstrated their strength and that they have so much to contribute to our country. Thanks to them, I know America’s future is bright.”

The Presidential Scholars Class of 2022 will be recognized for their outstanding achievement this summer with an online recognition program.