Two students from Greater Portland were selected for the prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholars Program for academic achievement, federal education officials said Wednesday.

Gregory Pershing of Greely High School and Grace Roberts of Cape Elizabeth High School are among 161 students named to the program out of 5,200 qualified candidates. Two students are selected from each state.

Scholars are selected on their accomplishments in academic or artistic performance, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, community service and leadership. The Presidential Scholars are given an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., and receive a U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House.

“I want to congratulate this year’s class of Presidential Scholars on their achievement and also thank their parents, teachers and other academic advisors who have helped guide them along the way,” U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said in a statement. “These students have pushed themselves to be the best they can be, and I am certain that devotion will serve them well as they continue their individual learning journeys.”

The academic achievement award is given to one male and one female student from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large. An additional 40 students are also named U.S. Presidential Scholars: 20 for accomplishment in the arts and 20 for achievements in career and technical education.

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