Greenville High School senior, Andrew Walker, has been named one of 4,000 candidates in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Andrew was selected from over 3.3 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in 2016. Inclusion in the scholars program is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities.

Andrew earned perfect scores on the math and reading portions of the SAT, and only missed one question on the writing portion, which earned a 2370 out of 2400 on the rigorous test.

In addition to excelling in academics, Andrew also participates on the GHS FIRST Robotics Team, the Robowranglers. Last summer, Andrew and his team were invited by the China Urban Youth Robotics Alliance (CUYRA) to help train Chinese teams to facilitate their own robotics events. The team competed in the China Robotics Challenge International Bracket, won first place and received a gold medal. Andrew has also served as drum major in the Lion Pride Band the past two years, represented GISD four years in solo and ensemble and made all-area band last year.

GHS Principal Heath Jarvis said, “Andrew is an outstanding student and an exceptional young man. He is committed to excellence and with his work ethic, he will be an individual that will make a significant difference in this world. We will continue to hear about Andrew’s accomplishments for a very long time.”

A distinguished panel of educators will review submissions from the 4,000 candidates and select 800 semifinalists in early April. The Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of up to 32 citizens appointed by the President, will select the finalists, and the U.S. Department of Education will announce the final group of approximately 160 U.S. Presidential Scholars in May. Scholars are honored for their accomplishments during the National Recognition Program, held in June in Washington, D.C.

Although he has not decided on the university, Andrew plans to study film making in college. Andrew is the son of Nobie and Kelly Walker.