The Syosset Central School District is proud to announce that Syosset High School senior Catherine Yu has been selected as a semifinalist for the prestigious 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. She is one of only 627 semifinalists nationwide chosen to advance to the final round of the competition, standing out from a pool of thousands of the country's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. 

Established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognizes and honors some of the nation’s most talented and accomplished graduating high school seniors. The program has since expanded to celebrate achievements in the visual, creative, and performing arts, as well as career and technical education fields. Admission into the program is highly restrictive; students cannot apply individually or be nominated by their schools, but are instead invited to participate based on exceptional academic achievement or state educational nominations.

The final selection of the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars will be announced in the coming months by U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. Ultimately, up to 161 students nationwide will be chosen as Presidential Scholars and awarded the esteemed Presidential Scholars Medallion.

The Syosset Central School District congratulates Catherine Yu on this monumental academic achievement and wishes her the best of luck as she advances into the final round of selection.