Kevin Thomas, a Belton New Tech @Waskow senior, has been named a candidate in the 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. 

He is one of about 5,000 students selected from the nearly 3.6 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools this year.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President, recognizes some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments in academics, leadership and service.

“I’m really honored,” Thomas said. “I had never heard of the government directly recognizing students for their academics like this. Regardless of my performance in the next rounds of selection, I can say that I am very happy to hear this news.”

Thomas, the son of Thomaskutty Alumparambil and Tesina Paul, is no stranger to accolades — he was named a semifinalist in the competitive National Merit Scholarship Program in October. 

At New Tech, Thomas is the service coordinator for the National Honor Society and works for the student newspaper, Blair St. Journal, managing a team of writers. He’s spent the past two summers interning with clinical research institutions in India and would like to go into medicine after graduating.

Principal Kim Winters said she wasn’t surprised to learn of Thomas’ latest accomplishment.

“We were thrilled to learn the news that Kevin was selected as a candidate for such a prestigious program,” Winters said. “He is a solid student academically and a major contributor to the New Tech community, someone who we can’t wait to keep eyes on in the future.”

Candidates will next submit essays, self-assessments and school transcripts that will be reviewed by distinguished educators to determine about 600 semifinalists. 

In April, the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars will select 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars. Those scholars will be honored in June and awarded the Presidential Scholars Medallion.