Exeter, NH (May 8, 2008)—Phillips Exeter Academy student Alexander B. Katz, a four-year senior from Exeter, NH, has been named a 2008 Presidential Scholar by the U.S. Department of Education.

Katz is one of the 139 outstanding American high school seniors chosen as this year’s scholars, demonstrating outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community. Presidential Scholars will be honored for their accomplishments in Washington, D.C., from June 21–24.

Katz, a Highest Honors student, led the school’s Debating Society and Academic Team. He has competed at the varsity level in lacrosse, indoor track, golf and water polo. Katz produces and hosts a radio show, writes for the school newspaper and participates in a film production troupe. He serves as a Peer Tutor and as a Peer Counselor. Katz was elected to the Cum Laude Society and he received a Scholastic Gold Key Award in Photography. He will attend Princeton University, where he will concentrate in East Asian Studies.

Of the more than 2,600 graduating high school seniors nationwide who are initially identified as candidates—based on their SAT and ACT scores—approximately 560 semifinalists were selected. This year, two PEA students were named semifinalists.

From this pool of candidates, 119 academic and about 20 artistic contenders are named Presidential Scholars. The Commission on Presidential Scholars selects one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and from families of U.S. citizens living abroad. Katz was chosen for his academic achievements.

All scholars will be honored as guests during National Recognition Week, with an all-expense paid trip to the nation’s capital; a White House awards ceremony, where each will receive the Presidential Scholars medallion; and a chance to meet with government officials, educators, authors, musicians and scientists, among others. They will also attend a variety of receptions, recitals, tours of the city, museums and historical sites. Scholars are also allowed to invite a teacher who has particularly influenced them. Teachers will be honored with the Teacher Recognition Award, given during a special reception. For recognition of his teacher, Katz chose Rafael D. San Juan of Chicago, IL.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 to honor the nation’s most outstanding, graduating high school seniors. The Art Scholar Program was added in 1979 to extend honors to seniors who demonstrated exceptional ability in the visual, creative and performing arts.

A complete list of upcoming events is available on the Phillips Exeter Academy public events line at (603) 777-4309 and on our website at http://www.exeter.edu/. For directions to Phillips Exeter Academy, call (603) 777-4330. To learn more about upcoming events at Exeter, check the News & Events section of the website. To learn more about the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, go to http://www.ed.gov/programs/psp/index.html.

Phillips Exeter Academy is a coeducational, independent preparatory school that was founded in 1781 and originated the system of instruction known as Harkness teaching in 1931. In the spirit of its charter to foster both goodness and knowledge, a Phillips Exeter Academy education will now be free to any admitted student whose family income is $75,000 or less. Committed to educational excellence, the school meets all demonstrated financial aid needs of its admitted students, making the Academy effectively “need blind.” The diverse student body comes from a wide variety of geographic, economic, racial and religious backgrounds approximately from 45 states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands and 23 foreign countries.