Hopf named Presidential Scholar
The U.S. Department of Education today announced the selection of Ella K. Hopf of Schnellville, Indiana, who attended Forest Park High School in Ferdinand as a 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholar.
She is currently a freshman at the University of Notre Dame studying political science and global affairs.
Hopf is one of 161 outstanding American high school graduates who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, artistic excellence, technical expertise, leadership, citizenship, service, and contributions to their school and community.
Scholars are selected annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.
Of the 3.9 million students who graduated from high school this year, more than 6,400 candidates qualified for the 2025 awards determined by outstanding performance on the SAT or ACT exam or through nominations made by chief state school officers and partner recognition organizations.
As directed by Presidential Executive Order, the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 Scholars in the arts, and 20 Scholars in career and technical education.
Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored approximately 8,600 of the nation’s top-performing students. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.
Since 1983, each U.S. Presidential Scholar has been offered the opportunity to name his or her most influential teacher. Each distinguished teacher is honored with a personal letter from the Secretary of Education. The teacher chosen for recognition by Hopf was Ms. Molly Cummings of Forest Park High School in Ferdinand, Indiana.
