McCormick named Presidential Scholar candidate

Norah McCormick, a graduating senior at Loudoun Valley High School and the Loudoun Academy of Science, has been named one of more than 5,000 candidates in the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 3.6 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in 2026.

Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is one of the nation’s highest honors for graduating seniors. Established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President, the program recognizes students for outstanding academic achievement, leadership, character, and service to school and community. 

It was expanded in 1979 to honor students demonstrating exceptional talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts, and again in 2015 to recognize excellence in career and technical education fields. Each year, up to 161 students are ultimately named U.S. Presidential Scholars.

Candidates are identified based on exceptional performance on the SAT or ACT. From that pool, students are invited to apply and are evaluated on their essays, self-assessments, school recommendations, transcripts, and records of leadership and community involvement.

A panel of educators will review submissions this spring and select approximately 600 semifinalists. The Commission on Presidential Scholars, appointed by the President, will then choose the finalists, with Scholars announced by the U.S. Department of Education this summer.

For McCormick, the recognition reflects years of dedication and perseverance.

“Reaching this point took persistence and resilience while balancing two schools, and I’m especially grateful to my family for their constant support,” McCormick said. “I also want to thank my teachers who inspire me every day, especially Dr. White at the AOS and Coach Sweatte at LVHS. I’m honored to be named a U.S. Presidential Scholar candidate.”

If selected as a Scholar, McCormick would receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion, commemorating her achievement and joining the ranks of more than 8,600 students honored by the program since its founding.

The recognition highlights not only McCormick’s academic excellence, but also her leadership, commitment, and promise as one of the nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors.

Photo: Norah with her Blue Andalusian hen named Aster.