HCS Senior Named a U.S. Presidential Scholar
Posted on 05/18/2021
HCS Senior Named a U.S. Presidential ScholarChattanooga, Tenn. (May 18, 2021) - Seo Yoon Yang, a senior at Signal Mountain Middle High School, was announced as a 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholar. Yang is one of 161 finalists from across the country and among the three finalists from Tennessee.

Yang was selected as a finalist for the competition for her demonstrated excellence in academics. She is no stranger to recognition, as she is co-valedictorian of her graduating class and leads Student Body Public Relations.

“I’m incredibly grateful to have been selected as a U.S. Presidential Scholar this year,” said Yang. “I still remember how surprised I felt when I opened the email that started with 'Congratulations’, and it felt like all of my hard work paid off because our national government was recognizing me.”

Yang is an active participant on and off the Signal Mountain Middle High campus. She was the Director-General for SHSMUN 2020 (Southeastern High School Model U.N. conference), is involved in the theater department, and is also part of Chattanooga Students Demand Action, the National Students Demand Action advisory board, and Chattanooga Students Leading Change. After graduation, Yang will be studying at the University of Pennsylvania through the Huntsman Program, a dual degree program for International Business and International Studies.

“Seo’s selection as a U.S. Presidential Scholar is a testament to her hard work and dedication to excellence,” said Dr. Bryan Johnson, superintendent of Hamilton County Schools. “We join her family in celebrating this outstanding achievement and look forward to seeing what she accomplishes in the future.”

The U.S. Presidential Scholars competition was established in 1964 to recognize and honor students to demonstrate exceptional academic abilities. The competition was later extended to recognize outstanding students in both the creative and performing arts and career and technical programs. Out of over 3 million graduating high school seniors, just over 5,000 are selected as candidates, with 161 chosen as finalists this year. The Presidential Scholars Class of 2021 will be recognized for its outstanding achievement this summer. Click here to read more about the U.S. Presidential Scholar Program.