Mar 6, 2016 1 min read

Zachary Austin Martik, a senior at Elizabeth Forward High School, has been named one of more than 4,000 candidates in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Candidates were selected from nearly 3.3 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools this year. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities. A panel of educators will review the submissions 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 scholars in May. Martik’s parents are David and Kristie Martik.