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Published on 02/09/1998 All articles from this issue

Los Altos High senior among nation's academic elite

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Town Crier Staff Report

Only 140 out of the United States' 2.5 million high school graduates are honored each year in the Presidential Scholars Program - Los Altos High senior Jim Whitesell is among the 2,600 final candidates. In its 35th year, the scholars program is the highest honor given to graduating high school seniors. The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, a 30-person committee selected by the President, chooses students each year on the basis of their Scholastic Achievement Test scores and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and community involvement.

Whitesell said he unexpectedly discovered he was a scholar candidate two weeks ago when "a big packet" arrived in the mail, notifying him.

"I just went 'Whoa!' I was shocked. I had never even heard of (the program," said Whitesell about opening the package. "Basically, I'm amazed."

Whitesell earned a perfect score of 1600 on the March 15, 1997 Scholastic Achievement Test. Whitesell's community involvement is hardly overshadowed by his academic achievement. He volunteers at Stanford Hospital one time a week, plays on the high school varsity tennis team, alto sax on the high school band and has played piano for nine years.

For the past two years, Whitesell has also traveled to Mexico with Young Life to help build houses for needy local residents. Whitesell said he plans to make the annual trip again this year.

"Sometimes I sacrifice sleep. I'm on the go all the time, but I enjoy it," said Whitesell.

Students selected for the scholars program will receive an all expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. where the United States Department of Education will honor them at a ceremony in June.

Whitesell has been to Washington before, but he said it will "be great" to go back. Whitesell will be notified in May if he has been chosen as a scholar. In the meantime, Whitesell said he will be busy working on an essay he must submit to the program judges at the end of this month.

"I have to go through a lot of paperwork but it's worth it," Whitesell said.

Whitesell plans to attend Stanford University in the fall to study biology or chemistry.