Three Iowa high school seniors were among 161 students recognized as U.S. Presidential Scholars by the U.S. Department of Education. They are Matthew Ding, Johnston High School; Elizabeth Catherine Meyer, Heelan High School, Sioux City; and Blake Ronald Van Der Kamp, Prairie City, PCM High School (Presidential Scholar in career and technical education). 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. They were chosen from more than 5,300 eligible candidates nationally. The 56th annual awards recognized 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.