BATH TWP. - Donald Venus, a senior at Revere High School, has been named one of approximately 3,000 candidates in the 2013 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 3.4 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in 2013.
According to Revere officials, scholars are chosen based on their accomplishments, including academic and artistic success, leadership and involvement in the school and community.
Venus, who lives in Richfield, has a current grade point average of 4.15 and scored a perfect 36 on the ACT college entrance exam. He is a member of the Revere High School National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, the Science Olympiad Team, the Academic Challenge Team and the Chess Team. Venus also plays tuba in the Revere marching and concert bands, as well as provides tutoring services for Revere High and Middle school students.
For fun, Venus enjoys bowling with friends, playing the guitar and piano, bonfires, board games, video games, movies, the family dogs and relaxing with family and friends.
His parents, Don and Candi, who are employed at Revere Middle School, said they feel very proud and blessed. “He has worked very hard and we are very happy that he is being recognized for his achievements.”
While undecided on where he will attend college, Venus has applied to eight schools, and the responses are just beginning to come in, his mother said. He plans to study chemical engineering.
The Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by executive order of the president, to recognize and honor the nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative and performing arts.
Each year, up to 121 students are chosen to become Presidential Academic Scholars, while 20 are chosen Presidential Arts Scholars. In April, 500 semifinalists will be selected; the finalists will be chosen in early May and subsequently invited to National Recognition Week in Washington, D.C., with the presentation of the Presidential Scholars medallion during a ceremony sponsored by the White House.
