Erin McShane, a senior at Conway High School, and Alan May, a senior at Episcopal Collegiate School in Little Rock, are among 141 seniors nationwide to be selected as 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholars.
McShane, who will attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., starting in July, is the daughter of Dennis and Amelia McShane.
May's parents are Walter and Nancy Bellhouse May. He will be attending Yale University in New Haven, Conn.
The Presidential Scholar awards, announced Monday by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, are awarded in recognition of academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community.
"These scholars are poised to make their mark on our nation in every field imaginable: the arts and humanities, science and technology, law and medicine, business and finance, education and government -- to name a few," Duncan said. "Their academic and artistic achievements reflect a sense of purpose that we should seek to instill in all students to prepare them for college, careers, civic responsibilities, and the challenges of today's job market."
The 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholars include one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad. An additional 15 students are chosen at large, and 20 more are named U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts.
The awards program was created in 1964 and has honored almost 7,000 of the nation's top-performing students in the years since then.
The two Arkansas students will join the other 2015 scholars at ceremonies in their honor next month in Washington, D.C.
The Presidential Scholars are invited to name their most influential teachers. Each distinguished teacher is presented with a personal letter from the secretary of education.
McShane, who has lived in Arkansas for about a year, selected Aaron Stutz of Middleton High School in Middleton, Wis., as her most influential teacher.
May selected Christine Marquis of Episcopal Collegiate School as his most influential teacher.
Metro on 05/07/2015