By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Well-rounded seniors Kaylee Daniels and Sara Ullrich have been chosen as Union City High School’s applicants for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
Daniels and Ullrich were selected by UCHS teachers and administration and will be among those considered as state finalists for the prestigious honor.
High Schools across the country can choose two seniors from their student body – one from the general academic component and one from the CTE component – as applicants for the Presidential Scholars Program.
Students will present their cases via application and essay.
The general academic component emphasizes the following areas on the application:
- Academic achievement
- Leadership skills
- Community involvement
- Overcoming obstacles
- Strong writing skills
Points of emphasis on the CTE component of the application include:
- Academic rigor
- Technical competence
- Employability skills
- Ingenuity and creativity
Both Daniels and Ullrich certainly have glowing qualifications.
Daniels, who is the CTE applicant, has been involved in many school and community activities while also excelling in the classroom.
She is a member of the ACT 21+ Club, the National Society of High School Scholars, and the UCHS Ethics Bowl team. She’s participated in band, track and is a member of the yearbook staff.
Daniels has career aspirations of being a teacher at either the elementary or middle school level.
Ullrich has a likewise impressive activity sheet from her days at UC Schools.
She’s been a member of the Top 10 for three years, the Beta Club, Key Club, and STEM Club. She’s a member of the prestigious 30+ ACT club, has attended Obion County Youth Leadership and received the AP Scholar Award.
Ullrich has been a member of both the softball and volleyball teams at Union City High School and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Additionally, she’s won awards at both the state and national levels at the Beta Club Convention.
For over 57 years, this unique federal program has honored almost 8,000 U.S. Presidential Scholars who have demonstrated leadership, scholarship, school and community contributions.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by the President’s executive order to recognize and honor some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.
Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars.
Photo: Guidance counselor Susan Searcy with Daniels and Ullrich.