Ariana Kim of Irvine Named 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholar
- US Department of Education
- Oct 3
- 2 min read
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The U.S. Department of Education today announced the selection of Ariana Kim of Irvine, California, who attended Orange County High School of the Arts in Santa Ana as a 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholar.
Kim is one of 161 outstanding American high school graduates who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, technical expertise, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community.
Scholars are selected annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.
Of the 3.9 million students who graduated from high school this year, more than 6,400 candidates qualified for the 2025 awards determined by outstanding performance on the SAT or ACT exam or through nominations made by chief state school officers and partner recognition organizations.
As directed by Presidential Executive Order, the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 Scholars in the arts, and 20 Scholars in career and technical education. Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored approximately 8,600 of the nation’s top-performing students. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.
Since 1983, each U.S. Presidential Scholar has been offered the opportunity to name his or her most influential teacher. Each distinguished teacher is honored with a personal letter from the Secretary of Education. The teacher chosen for recognition by Kim was Ms. Maya Kohn of Orange County High School of the Arts in Santa Ana, California.
A complete list of 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars can be found at ed.gov/psp.
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