Ocosta student a Presidential Scholar candidate

Emerson Hatton

March 8, 2021 4:00 pm
Emerson Hatton, a graduating senior at Ocosta High School, is a candidate in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
Emerson Hatton, a graduating senior at Ocosta High School, is a candidate in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Emerson Hatton, a graduating senior at Ocosta High School, has been named one of more than 4,500 candidates in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Hatton is among 178 Washington state candidates and represents the only school in Grays Harbor County to feature a nominee this year.

Scholars are selected on the basis of 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 President Lyndon Johnson to recognize some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors.

In April, the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars reviews the applications of all semifinalists and selects up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars. If circumstances permit, all scholars are honored for their accomplishments during the National Recognition Program, held in June in Washington, D.C.