The honors keep rolling in for Stamford’s Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy of Connecticut senior Noah Doft. Last week, Doft was notified that he was selected as a candidate to apply and become a Presidential Scholar.
“Noah has done so much in his time here at BCHA,” said David Giver, Upper School principal. “To see it all recognized in his being named a candidate for the Presidential Scholarship Program is the perfect reward for all his hard work and dedication to his studies. We are all so proud of him.”
Doft scored a 36, a perfect score, on his ACT and is currently taking six AP classes in his senior year. Upon graduation in June from BCHA, Doft will already have 24 University of Connecticut credits under his belt.
In addition, Doft is the only student from a Jewish school in Connecticut and one of two in the tri-state area who was selected as a candidate for the high honor.
“It was really surprising,” said Doft. “I wasn’t expecting it. It took a little while for it to hit me that I accomplished this. It’s so exciting to see all my work throughout high school culminate this way. To possibly be one of 160 people chosen who are graduating this year is just insane. I hope to get further in the process and keep the application process going. This feels amazing.”
According to the U.S. Department of Education’s website, the United States Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by executive order of the president, to recognize and honor some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.
“I am so proud and pleased for Noah to have received this great honor,” said Rabbi Tzvi Bernstein, head of school. “Having taught Noah, I know that he is an independent thinker with a keen intellect and a great work ethic. It is so nice for him to have that recognized with such a prestigious opportunity.”
To be eligible to apply for the Presidential Scholar Program, candidates must score exceptionally well on either the SAT of the College Board or the ACT of the American College Testing Program. Out of the estimated 3.5 million students that take the SAT or ACT test, the top 100 students from each state are selected.
After the application process has been completed, the process is narrowed down to 10 students per state. From there, 160 seniors are chosen to be United States Presidential Scholars.
