Nina McKee, a South Callaway High School senior, has been named one of the rare semifinalists for the 2016 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
The 689 semifinalists were selected from nearly 4,700 candidates who display leadership qualities, have strong character and involvement in the community and carry artistic achievements.
The program is among the highest honors for graduating high school seniors, and McKee said she was shocked to find out she was selected as a finalist.
“I’m really excited and honored,†she said.
South Callaway’s soon-to-be graduate is student council president, the marching band’s drum major, a member of the French Fine Arts club and president of the Future Teachers of America Club. She was also the only student in her school to achieve perfect scores on all of her end-of-course exams and was recognized by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Missouri Bar for the Outstanding Citizenship Award.
School Principal Heather Helsel said McKee’s a model student and is constantly working to rally school spirit.
“I just can’t say enough about the kind of person she is,†Helsel said. “She plans activities that initiate student enjoyment and builds and supports school pride.â€
McKee was also in charge of creating the back-to-school video shown at the beginning of each academic year, a huge undertaking Helsel said was a big help to her as an administrator.
The Fulton resident plans to attend William Woods University to study management information systems with a minor in pre-law. McKee said she’d like to earn a law graduate degree afterward.
In mid-May, McKee said she should find out if she was selected as one of the 32 winners of the Presidential Scholars Program — hopefully before she graduates. The scholars are appointed by the president and will be invited to Washington, D.C., in June to receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion at a recognition ceremony.