Prairie Ridge High School senior named semifinalist for U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

A graduating Prairie Ridge High School senior was named one of the 625 semifinalists in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, according to a news release.

Lucas Kim of Crystal Lake was the only McHenry County student to make the list and one of 18 in Illinois, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Kim plans to attend Washington University in St. Louis where he plans on majoring in global health in the pre-med track, according to his parents.

Finalists will be selected by the Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of up to 32 “eminent citizens” appointed by the president, according to the release. They will be announced this month.

The semifinalists were chosen from nearly 6,500 candidates expected to graduate this year by a “distinguished panel of educators” based on their accomplishments in academics, career and technical fields, leadership, strong character and civic engagement, according to the release.

“Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, now in its 57th year, is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating seniors, the U.S. Department of Education said in the release.

Kim was also among the 194 Community High School District 155 students named Illinois State Scholars and one of five of the district’s seniors to be named National Merit semifinalists, according to the Crystal Lake-based district.

Kim is involved in National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Student Council, LINK Crew, Spanish Club, and Varsity Academic Challenge team, according to a district post. He established an outreach program that sends supplies and staple foods to Guatemala City, and volunteers at TOP Soccer, a local organization that works with children with special needs.