Riverside High Senior Jiaying Tong Named 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholar

Riverside High School senior Jiaying Tong has been named a 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholar. Jiaying Tong is the daughter of Kebo Tong and Qi Zhu.

The announcement was made today by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who recognized 161 high school seniors for their accomplishments in academics, the arts and career and technical education fields.

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.

Of the 3.6 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,200 candidates qualified for the 2019 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams or through nominations made by Chief State School Officers, other partner recognition organizations and the National YoungArts Foundation’s nationwide YoungArts™ competition.

As directed by Presidential Executive Order, the 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 Scholars in the Arts and 20 Scholars in Career and Technical Education. 

The 2019 ceremony will be held June 23, when each honoree will receive a Presidential Scholar Medallion.