Bryn Mawr Senior Named 2009 Presidential Scholar

05/12/2009

The Bryn Mawr School is pleased to announce that Celia Bell, member of the class of 2009, has received the high honor of being named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts by the U.S. Department of Education.

Miss Bell has been identified by the program as one of the Nation's most outstanding high school seniors based on her academic success, artistic excellence, essays, evaluations and transcripts, as well as her dedication to community service and leadership. Miss Bell will be honored for her achievement at the White House by President Obama in June. Bryn Mawr Upper School English teacher William Waters will also attend the awards ceremony as Miss Bell named him as an exceptionally influential teacher.

The United States Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by President Johnson, to recognize and honor some of the Nation's most distinguished high school seniors. A 29-member commission appointed by the President selects the scholars which include one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large and 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts.

All scholars will be honored during National Recognition Week, June 20-24, 2009, with an all-expense paid trip to the nation's capital; a White House awards ceremony, where each will receive the Presidential Scholars medallion; and a chance to meet with government officials, educators, authors, musicians and scientists, among others. They will also attend a variety of receptions, recitals, tours of the city, museums and historical sites. Scholars are also allowed to invite a teacher who has particularly influenced them.

The Bryn Mawr School was founded in 1885 as a college-preparatory school for girls and young women in grades K - 12. A Bryn Mawr education is grounded in the expectation that young women will be resilient in the face of complexity, ambiguity, and change; will become responsible and confident participants in the world; and will lead considered and consequential lives.