2008 Presidential Scholars

mrsperiwinkle · 05-01-2008, 09:05 AM

FYI - The list of 2008 scholars is now on-line. Congrats.

mammall · 05-01-2008, 09:37 AM

Hey, my D1 is on the list! This will give her something to do in June besides catch up on sleep and look for a job. I texted her at school and she is thrilled, mostly because she adores the teacher she wrote about and this makes a perfect thank you gift for all her help through high school.

midmo · 05-01-2008, 10:28 AM

mammall, still more congratulations to you and your daughter! D.C is nice in June, except for the swarms of schools doing their end-of-year field trips and clogging up the museums.

mammall · 05-01-2008, 10:38 AM

^ well the pictures of the events on the Pres Scholar web site look a bit stuffy but since we can't really afford a family vacation this summer due to paying full freight college, this will at least give one of my kids a free trip.

ruchir12 · 05-01-2008, 01:26 PM

What exactly do we do in Washington? The descriptions online are kind of vague....

yayverily · 05-01-2008, 06:50 PM

It's been a couple of years, and I can only comment on the events that parents were aware of. I know there was a very full schedule for the students.

What I vaguely remember (at my age this is as good as it gets):
1. Show up Saturday morning. Students stayed in a Georgetown Univ. dorm.
2. Saturday evening -- reception at the OAS (impressive place)
2. Sunday evening--Teacher Recognition Dinner, Mellon Auditorium
3. Monday evening--event at the Kennedy Center, including performances by some of the Scholars in the Arts, as well as medal ceremony
4. Visit to White House and photo-op (time TBD, students only)
5. Tuesday morning--scholars are free to go. They encourage meetings with your Congressmen on this day, many do this.

There was also an art exhibit by some of the Scholars in the Arts, but I can't remember which day it was.

The high point for us was the Kennedy Center event -- they videotaped and sent a DVD to our home.

mmm168 · 05-01-2008, 07:31 PM

Did any parents go to the event with their child?

yayverily · 05-01-2008, 08:39 PM

Parents are also invited to Washington for the 3-4 days, but can only attend a few of the major events--the students do most things on their own. Still, many parents and family members go.

Only the students' travel costs are covered, so the parents/family members have to pay for their own travel and lodging, as do the teachers being recognized (although I believe some schools help to cover travel costs for teachers). S's teacher drove from New England and stayed with friends.

Parents and others are invited to the Kennedy Center event. S's grandparents (local to DC area) also attended this. It was wonderful.

Congrats to the Scholars, and enjoy the recognition!

mmm168 · 05-01-2008, 09:53 PM

yayverily, thank you very much!