A senior from Kalamazoo’s Hackett Catholic Central High School has been named one of 141 “Presidential Scholars” by the U.S. Department of Education.

Thomas Ankenbauer, of Portage, and the teacher he deemed to be “most influential,” Christopher Adrian, of Kalamazoo, will travel to Washington to be honored in late June.

“Every year for nearly half a century we’ve been honoring America’s best and brightest students and every year they continue to make outstanding contributions to society while reaching milestones in their academic pursuits,” Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in a statement. “This year’s ‘Presidential Scholars’ continue that trend.  They are shining examples of excellence in academics and in the arts and are role models that all students should emulate.”

Two students from each state are selected for the honor.  Michigan’s other winner this year is Aparana Anathasubramaniam, of Troy.  Andrea Jarrett of Saline was selected as one of 20 in the U.S. named scholars in the arts.

The students are selected based upon their “academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.”

A 29 -member Commission on Presidential Scholars, appointed by the president, makes the determination.

Thomas Ankenbauer