School district and high school staff are invited to submit nominations for exceptional graduating seniors to be nationally recognized at the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program by November 24. Established in 1964, the program is among the nation’s highest honors awarded to high school students.
Wyoming will nominate up to ten male and ten female students for the general nomination, and five students for the Career and Technical Education (CTE) nomination from the pool of nominees.
A qualified nominee is a high school senior who either exemplifies outstanding academic excellence (general nomination) or mastery of Career and Technical Education (CTE nomination). To be eligible, nominees must graduate between January and August 2026 and be U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents who attend public, parochial, or independent schools or are homeschooled.
Learn more about nomination eligibility and find the CEEB code needed to apply.
2026 Timeline:
- November 24 – Wyoming nomination closes.
- December 1 – State recommendations submitted.
- January 2026 – National candidates receive a letter of invitation to apply.
- February 2026 – National application deadline.
- April 2026 – Semifinalists announced.
- May 2026 – Presidential Scholars announced.
- June 2026 – Presidential Scholars Medallion ceremony, Washington, D.C.
For more information, contact Madison Lacey, Teacher Leadership & Awards Consultant, at madison.lacey@wyo.gov or 307-777-6840.
