Aiden Chisholm (Photo submitted)
WESTFIELD – Last week, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education informed the district and Westfield High School that Aiden Chisholm has been selected by Commissioner Jeff Riley to represent the state as a nominee for the U.S. Presidential Scholars program.
“Commissioner Riley is very impressed with Aiden’s qualifications and is proud to have him represent Massachusetts in this prestigious competition,” according to a statement from the district.
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. A review committee of qualified individuals experienced in secondary and post-secondary education evaluates candidates on their academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities, and an analysis of their essay.
Application for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is by invitation only. Students may not apply individually to the program or be nominated. Approximately 800 candidates are named semifinalists and forwarded to the Commission for further review, based on the same criteria used by the review committee. The Commission selects up to 161 U.S Presidential Scholars each year. All scholars are honored for their accomplishments during the National Recognition Program, held in June in Washington, D.C.
Chisholm said on Tueday, that he was not able to put it into words, but was happy about the honor. He said Principal Charles Jendrysik supported his application, which was selected on the state level to be considered for the actual program, culminating in the trip in Washington, D.C.
Chisholm is president of the Student Council, and has been on its executive board since the second half of his freshman year, serving first as co-secretary, then director of accountability, keeping track of attendance at meetings and participation from the end of his sophomore year to his junior year.
He was inducted into the National Honor Society at the beginning of his junior year. He is also the secretary of the Key Club, and liaison to the School Committee, reporting to them at meetings about events at WHS. He is also in his fourth year as a member of the ski team, which races at Berkshire East.
“I definitely like keeping up with politics, the government, and inner workings of it,” Aiden said about the possibility of the trip to D.C. He said he took an AP government course last year. However, he said his plan right now is to go into engineering with a double major or minor in Spanish.
Chisholm said his interest in studying Spanish was fueled by a high school trip during his sophomore year to Madrid and Andalucia, Spain. “I just think it’s really cool to be fluent in another language, to be able to communicate and understand other cultures. I love travelling,” he said.
When asked about his class rank, Chisholm said he is in the 98th percentile of his class. During one of his recent presentations to the School Committee, he spoke about taking Advanced Placement courses at the school, which he told the committee he enjoyed because not only do they offer college credit opportunities and look good on resumes, “they provide deep information on topics I’m interested in.”
When asked why he was selected as a semifinalist to be a U.S. Presidential Scholar, Chisholm said, “That’s a good question.” He said he first heard about it from his mother, who received an email from the principal at the Westfield Intermediate School, which his sister attends, congratulating her. He said he got called down later that day during literature class.
A life-long Westfield resident, Chisholm lives with his mother Kimberly Chisholm-Godshalk and step-father Clay Godshalk; and his siblings Teagan Chisholm-Godshalk at Westfield Intermediately School, Finn Chisholm-Godshalk at Highland Elementary, and Rory Chisholm-Godshalk who isn’t in school yet. He said his grandparents, William and Patricia Chisholm, also live in Westfield.
“I feel that Aiden embodies all the qualities of a leader. He does well academically and socially, and treats all other students with respect,” said WHS principal Charles Jendrysik. “Realistically, Aiden is a model student. His qualities are what we aspire to have in all of our students,” he added.
Jendrysik said he was extremely proud to see that Aiden was selected. He said the committee looks at writing samples, SAT scores and activities.
“It’s all in Aiden’s hands now. The organization will reach out to Aiden for the next level. From there, they select 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars, one of the highest honors for high school students,” Jendrysik said, adding, “I’m always looking for opportunities to recognize students for their accomplishments.”
U.S. Presidential Scholars are guests of the Commission during the National Recognition Program and enjoy an expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., to meet with government officials, educators, and other accomplished people. To commemorate their achievement, the Scholars are awarded the U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House. To learn more about the U. S. Presidential Scholars, click on the link. https://www2.ed.gov/programs/psp/about.html
