Ramapo Student Named US Presidential Scholars Program Candidate

A Ramapo High School senior is in the running to be one of only about 150 students nationwide named to this year’s United States Presidential Scholars Program, the school announced this week.

Andrew Lee, of Franklin Lakes, has been selected as a candidate for the program, which, according to its website, was established by an executive order of the President in 1964 “to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors.”

Candidates are nominated based on academic achievements in high school, measured namely through SAT and ACT scores, and then asked to apply to the program, providing additional academic information. Application is by invitation only.

According to Ramapo Principal Lou Moore, only 3,000 candidates nationwide are identified each year for the academic component of the program. Those contestants will be narrowed down to no more than 141 Presidential Scholars.

Moore said he is proud of the student’s candidacy.

"This is a rare and exceptional honor for Andrew and Ramapo High School,” Moore told Patch.

“We are extremely proud of Andrew for his achievement. At the same time he has been an outstanding member of our community, committed to our school and well-being of others. He’s set a high standard for everyone."

According to the US Presidential Scholars Program website, one other student from Franklin Lakes - Daniel A. Shlien who attends the Dwight-Englewood School – and one from Wyckoff - Robert M. Siegel who attends the Delbarton School – were also named candidates. See the full list of candidates here.