This month, Central Kitsap High School senior Michael Pontius was notified he has been named a semifinalist in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

According to a press release from the Department of Education’s Office of Public Affairs, Pontius was selected from a pool of more than 4,000 candidates.

As one of the 565 semifinalists, he was selected on the basis of superior achievement, leadership qualities, personal character, and involvement in the community and school activities. The final selection of scholars will be announced in May.

Scholars will be invited to Washington, D.C. in June to receive a U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion at a recognition ceremony and to participate in events and activities held in their honor. Semifinalists were chosen after a review of students’ self-assessments, essays, descriptions of activities, school recommendations and school transcripts.