Christopher Myers, son of Chris and Sheila Myers of Essex, a graduating senior at Valley Regional High School, has been named one of more than 3,000 candidates in the 2013 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 3.4 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools this year.

Inclusion in the program, now in its 49th year, is one of the highest honors bestowed on graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character, and involvement in the community and school activities.

More than 3,000 candidates were selected for their exceptional performance on either the College Board SAT or the Act Assessment. In addition, each chief school officials was invited to nominate three female and three male candidates based on their outstanding scholarship. Further consideration is based on students' essays, self-assessments, descriptions of activities, school recommendations, and school transcripts. A panel of educators will review these submissions and select 500 semifinalists in early April.

The Commission on Presidential Scholars will make final selections. They will select one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. students living abroad, 15 students at large, and up to 20 students from creative and performing arts. The U.S. Department of Education will make the announcements in May.