Alaska Names Three 2026 Presidential Scholars
Students from Soldotna, North Pole and Anchorage were selected by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Secondary Education
The Alaska Department of Education & Early Development announced that three Alaska students were selected as 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars. The honorees are Sara Elizabeth DeVolld of Soldotna, Liam B. Wade of North Pole and Michelle E. Xu of Anchorage.
Why it matters
The scholars are recognized for academic achievement, leadership, service, character and contributions to their schools and communities. The recognition highlights Alaska students among the national honorees for the year.
Three Alaska students were named among the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars, selected from a nationwide pool of high school seniors. The extraction does not give the total number of 2026 scholars or candidates.
The players
White House Commission on Presidential Scholars
The federal commission that selects the U.S. Presidential Scholars each year from candidates nationwide.
Alaska Department of Education & Early Development
The state agency that oversees public education in Alaska and announced the honorees.
The details
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars made the selections after a review process of candidates. The program, established in 1964, also names at-large scholars and honorees in visual and performing arts and career and technical education.
Timeline
1964: The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established.
2026: The 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars were selected.
Season Trajectory
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, established in 1964, recognizes top high school seniors from every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. citizens abroad. The 2026 selections continue that annual national recognition for academic and leadership achievement.
The recognition brings national attention to high school seniors from Soldotna, North Pole and Anchorage. Families and school communities in those towns can point to the honor as a measure of local academic achievement.
The takeaway
Recognition programs like the U.S. Presidential Scholars honor students for achievement across academics, leadership and service, not only test scores. Students and families interested in similar honors can look to their own schools for nomination and recognition opportunities.
Further reading
Explore more on Secondary Education to see how Alaska students are recognized nationally.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Must Read Alaska.
