POULSBO — Mencius Leonard has gone from one of more than 3,000 candidates in the 2013 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, to one of 500.

Leonard, a senior attending North Kitsap High School, was selected as a semifinalist for the program recently.

Leonard is one of 11 high school students in Washington to advance as a semifinalist. Central Kitsap High School’s Gunnar Onarheim is also a semifinalist.

The names of the Presidential Scholars will be announced in early May. Those who are selected as scholars will receive an expense-pair trip to Washington D.C. in June. Scholars will also receive a medallion during a ceremony sponsored by the White House.

Leonard was recognized by the North Kitsap School Board earlier this year for earning a perfect ACT score, according to a press release from the school district. Leonard is also a Washington Scholar candidate, National Merit finalist, and earned an AP Scholar with Distinction Award. At North Kitsap, Leonard has received the Most Outstanding Award from the World Language Department, English Department, and History Department.

Leonard is a member of the National Honors Society, serves as treasurer for the Associated Student Body, and co-founded the NKHS Table Tennis Club. He is also a member of the NKHS School Math Club.