Indianapolis – (Tuesday, May 28, 2024) – Seven FFA student members have been named U.S. Presidential Scholars — one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students — for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education. Of the 3.7 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,700 candidates qualified for the 2024 award and only 161 students received the honor.

The FFA members named as scholars are:
Lynn Dyber of Higginsville, Mo., Lafayette County C-1 High School, Higginsville FFA
Teagan Erbele of Lehr, North Dakota, Napoleon High School, Napoleon FFA
Faith Genzilinger of Winfred, South Dakota, Howard High School, Howard FFA
Lexi J. Molnar of Centerville, Washington, Goldendale High School, Goldendale FFA
Ezra Linnan of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, Sevastopol High School, Sevastopol FFA
Landis Zebroski of Sheridan, Wyoming, Sheridan High School, John B. Kendrick Sheridan FFA
Cy Pavlov of Trumbull, Connecticut, Trumbull High School, Trumbull Regional FFA

Established in 1964 by executive order of President Lyndon B. Johnson, the U.S. Presidential Scholars program was created to recognize the nation’s most distinguished high school graduating seniors. In 2015, the program was expanded to recognize students demonstrating ability and accomplishment in career and technical education.

The 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars include two students from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, as well as U.S. families living abroad and 15 chosen at large. There are also 20 scholars in the arts and 20 in career and technical education.

Overseen by the Commission on Presidential Scholars, the program is administered by staff at the U.S. Department of Education. The commission selects honored scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service and leadership.

“We are extremely proud of this accomplishment for these seven FFA members,” said National FFA CEO Scott Stump. “We know that our members are current and future leaders, and this demonstrates the students’ academic excellence while making a positive difference in their schools and communities. These members have exceeded expectations and live out the organization’s mission and vision daily. We know the future is in good hands.”

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored over 8,200 of the nation’s top-performing students since its inception. The Class of 2024 will be recognized for their outstanding achievement this summer with an online recognition program.

A complete list of 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars is available at http://www.ed.gov/psp.

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 945,000 student members as part of 9,163 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 945,000 student members as part of 9,163 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook and Twitter.

About National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations, and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders, and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees composed of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA Alumni, the foundation is a separately registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.