Three Mississippi students receive national recognition as U.S. Presidential Scholars

Three Mississippi high school students have been named 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars. The honorees are Alexis Griffith from Long Beach High School, Nichols E. Katsaboulas from Jackson Prep, and Jackson Pearce from Gulfport High School.

On September 26, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon announced the full list of 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars, which includes 161 high school seniors recognized for their achievements in academics, the arts, and career and technical education.

“Congratulations to this year’s Presidential Scholars for their remarkable academic, artistic, and technical achievements,” McMahon said. “Out of 3.9 million high school graduates, these 161 students are recognized for their extraordinary performance in their high school career. I look forward to seeing all they accomplish in their future.”

More than 6,400 candidates were eligible for the award this year based on strong SAT or ACT scores or through nominations by chief state school officers and partner organizations.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored over 8,600 top-performing students since its start in 1964. The program expanded in 1979 to include recognition for students with talent in the visual, literary, and performing arts. In 2015, it was further extended to acknowledge accomplishments in career and technical education.

Each year, two students from every state as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. families living abroad are selected as scholars. Additional honorees include at-large scholars along with those recognized specifically for achievements in the arts and career and technical education.