After spending years relentlessly pursuing their passions and pushing themselves academically, two students of the class of 2017 made their way into the U.S. Presidential Scholars program. Selected from nearly 3.5 million students from around the nation, Alex Cayer and William Clark, seniors, have been deemed two of the 4,000 candidates for the award.

In order to be selected as a nominee for the U.S. Presidential Scholars program, students must be in extremely high academic standing, possess artistic ability and achievement, demonstrate leadership characteristics and be actively involved both inside school, and outside community affairs.

“I chose to accept the nomination because I wanted to represent my high school, as well as my state. And even if I don’t win, I am very honored to just have been nominated. I am so proud to be able to have the opportunity to represent Homestead,” Cayer said.

After careful consideration, the U.S Department of Education will select the semifinalists, cutting the candidate pool to 800 students. From there, 161 finalists will be chosen. In June, the finalists will have the opportunity to attend an award ceremony in Washington D.C where the President will recognize them as the U.S Presidential Scholars of the class of 2017.

“I found out through another friend who is also a Presidential Scholar nominee. He congratulated me and I was confused. He told me to look at the list online. So, I did. And I saw that my name was on the list too. The following week I got a letter in the mail. I was thrilled,” Clark expressed.

Each year, the finalists choose a mentor to be recognized with.

“I selected Mrs. Cicero because through having her as my forensics coach and then having her as my teacher this year for AP Literature, she has had such an impact on who I am. She’s just very much a role model for me,” Clark said.