Three Minnesota students among 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars

Three Minnesota students are among the 161 named as this year’s U.S. Presidential Scholars.

The U.S. Department of Education announced its 60th class of presidential scholars earlier this week. The program is meant to recognize “leadership, scholarship, contribution to school and community, and outstanding accomplishments in the arts, sciences, career and technical education, and other fields of interest.”

The list included students from every state, as well as from Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Two students living abroad were also named. 

Of the 161 high school seniors honored, three hail from Minnesota. They are:

• Philippa Jane Pflaum of Wayzata (Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire)
• Derrick Siu of Edina (Edina High School)
• Ming Wei Yeoh of Chanhassen (Minnetonka High School)

“These students exemplify academic excellence and have demonstrated community service and leadership by sharing their unique talents. Congratulations to all of you on this well-deserved recognition,” Minnesota Education Commissioner Willie Jett said in a statement.

The presidential scholars program, which first began in 1964, has since been expanded to recognize students excelling in the arts and in technical fields.