By Danny Federico Riverbend News
On Thursday, May 13, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona sent out a press release, announcing the names of 161 high school seniors who will make up the 57th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars. Eight of the 161 high school seniors recognized are from Florida, including Branford High School's (BHS) Barrett Young, who was selected as the U.S. Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education.
"The 2021 Presidential Scholarships represent extraordinary achievements for our extraordinary times," Cardona said. "I am delighted to join President Biden in saluting these outstanding young people for their achievements, service, character and continued pursuit of excellence. Their examples make me proud and hopeful about the future. Honoring them can remind us all of the great potential in each new generation and renew our commitment to helping them achieve their dreams."
According to the press release, the Commission on Presidential Scholars selects 161 seniors who demonstrate academic success, artistic and technical excellence, success in essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals. This program, which was created in 1964, has honored over 7,600 of the nation's top-performing students.
Young currently serves as the Branford Future Farmers of America (FFA) president and class of 2021 vice president. He is also a member of various extracurriculars, including the National Honor Society, BETA club and both BHS's varsity football team and varsity baseball team.
He currently has a 4.0 grade point average (GPA), which includes dual enrollment and AP classes. Earlier in 2021, Young was selected as Florida's Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen Award winner and as a Sunshine State Scholar. During his time in Branford's FFA, Young has obtained four industry certifications, including an Associate in Agriculture, an Associate in Agriculture Systems, Agritechnology Specialist Certification and Animal Science Specialist Certification.
Young also placed fourth in the National BETA Agriscience Competition and ninth in the National FFA Agriscience Fair. He was selected as the 2021 Florida FFA Star Placement Finalist and received gold on his National FFA Vegetable Production Proficiency. Young plans on majoring in Agricultural Biological Engineering with a minor in Chemical Engineering. His future plans include working with plant genetics and developing new equipment to help farmers produce crops more efficiently.
Congratulations to Barrett Young on this outstanding achievement!