Eisenhower senior named one of 5,000 national candidates for Presidential Scholar
Not many
students start their day with an e-mail from the White House.
But
Eisenhower High School senior Hailey Nichols was among only 5,000 students
nationwide who opened their email with the same message – you are a candidate
for the prestigious United States Presidential Scholars program.
“My reaction to this
recognition was pure shock,” Nichols said. “Seeing the White House in my email
inbox was such a cool moment! I am proud of my academic accomplishments that
got me here.”
The Scholars program has
been offered for nearly 60 years to recognize students who demonstrate
exemplary leadership and service to school and community.
Candidates in the program
must complete a formal application, including essays, self-assessments,
transcripts and approval from their principal. In April, the White House
Commission on Presidential Scholars will review the applications and select up
to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars.
An Eisenhower High School valedictorian and National Merit Commended student, her entire K-12 UCS experience has “fostered
my scholastic and extracurricular growth,” Nichols said.
“My teachers have always
been deeply involved with my personal development,” she said. “Life
lessons taught by great educators, like my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. (Anna)
Crocenzi, have stuck with me for years and inspired me to achieve my goals.”
One of those teachers, Eisenhower High School’s
Amber Bronson, said Nichols’ success is based on a strong work ethic.
“She is an excellent
student, an excellent senior class president, an excellent thespian, and most
importantly an excellent human being,” Bronson said. “Hailey is a perfect
model of the student who should be recognized through awards like these, and I
am so proud of her for achieving this level of success.”
At Eisenhower, Nichols has served as Senior Class
President and is a member of Student Council and the National Honors society.
She is also involved with Eisenhower’s drama and
choir programs; performs with Show Choir and has been elected as a Choir
Officer this year. She also had a major/lead role in two of Eisenhower’s
musical productions.
Outside of school, she has performed with the
Metropolitan Detroit Youth Chorus for four years and with its auditioned
Halftime group for one year.
Next year, Nichols plans to attend the
University of Michigan and major in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience
as part of a pre-law or pre-med course of study.