Storm Sivak joins a few thousand students out of a graduating pool of some 3.6 million nationwide as candidates in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

“Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors,” according to a release sent to Sivak from the U.S. Department of Education. “Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities.”

“The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments in many areas: academic success, leadership, and service to school and community,” according to the release. “It was expanded in 1979 to recognize students demonstrating exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was expanded once again to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical fields.”

Application is by invitation only – students do not directly apply, nor to schools nominate students.

“Each year over 4,500 candidates are identified for the component of the program that focuses on academic achievement and based on having scored exceptionally well on the SAT or the ACT,” according to the release. “Eligible students are U.S. citizens and legal permanent U.S. residents graduating or receiving a diploma between January and August of the current program year, who have taken the SAT or ACT Assessment on or before the preceding October.”

From the more than 4,500 candidates, up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars will be chosen. Those scholars represent “excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America’s youth,” according to the release.

“A distinguished panel of educators” reviews the submissions and narrow the field to 600 semifinalists, according to the release. “The Commission of Presidential Scholars, a group of up to 32 eminent citizens appointed by the president, will select the finalists, and the U.S. Department of Education will announce the Scholars in May.”

“If circumstances permit all Scholars are invited to Washington, DC in June for the National Recognition Program, featuring various events and enrichment activities and culminating in the presentation of the Presidential Scholars Medallion during a White House-sponsored ceremony,” according to the release. “In honoring the U.S. Presidential Scholars, the President of the United States symbolically honors all graduating high school seniors of high potential.”