Ravenscroft senior Eun Yoo ’24 has been named one of 625 semifinalists in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The semifinalists were selected from over 6,000 candidates expected to graduate from U.S. high schools this year. 

According to information shared by the program, now in its 60th year, this recognition is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of their accomplishments in many areas: academic and artistic success, accomplishment in career and technical fields, leadership, strong character and involvement in school and the community. 

Eun joined Ravenscroft as a sophomore and has been a highly engaged and successful member of her class. Her areas of academic interest “truly span every class and topic I study,” she said. “I love discussing problems with my friend from Multivariable Calculus class, discussing poems in AP Literature, debating certain policies in Advanced Seminar in Government & Politics, and much, much more.” Building on her experiences prior to coming to Ravenscroft, she has also been the soprano section leader in the Upper School choir. 

Similarly, she has participated in a range of cocurricular opportunities, including managing the varsity girls basketball team, giving tours and conducting admissions interviews as a Ravenscroft Ambassador, and facilitating dialogues for Dialogue Across Difference. She is also co-president of the Pan-Asian Affinity Group and a driving force behind planning the regional Asian Alliance conference — now in its second year — with students from peer schools.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by an executive order of President Lyndon B. Johnson to recognize some of the country’s most distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments in academics, leadership and service to school and community. It has been expanded several times to widen the range of disciplines and activities for which students are recognized. Up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen each year from among the nation’s graduating seniors who represent excellence in education and the promise of America’s youth. Learn more about the Presidential Scholars Program here. 

Eun said being named a semifinalist of such a prestigious program is an honor.

“I’m thankful to be recognized as a Presidential Scholar semifinalist, because I know that countless seniors throughout the United States have worked extremely hard in school and in their extracurricular activities, and there are so many deserving seniors out there,” she said. “This honor, and any honor, is less about myself and more a reflection of everyone that has supported me so that I have the privilege of pursuing what I want and receiving recognition for it. I want to thank my family, friends, teachers, mentors and anyone who’s a part of my life, especially God.” 

Eun said she hasn’t finalized her college plans but will most likely attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Earlier this year, Eun and her Pan-Asian Affinity Group co-president Tul Cherukuri ’24 were named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, and an additional five seniors — Arnav Gupta ’24, Sophia Hopper ’24, Tessa Lee ’24, Grayson Marty ’24 and Grace McDaniel ’24 — were given commendations for being among the 50,000 highest scorers on the 2023 PSAT/NMSQT. 

Read more about the Class of 2024 on our Celebrating Senior Success webpage, which will be updated throughout the month.