A member of the Simsbury High School Class of 2026 was named a National Presidential Scholar this week.
SIMSBURY, CT — A Simsbury High School student earned both one of the nation's biggest academic honors, along with kudos from Connecticut's governor, on Wednesday.
Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker congratulated four Connecticut students who have been named 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars.
One of those four is Eli Max Gold of West Simsbury, a current senior at Simsbury High School.
He earned the honor in recognition of his accomplishments in academics, the arts, and the career and technical education fields.
The recognition is one of the nation’s highest honors for graduating high school seniors.
Winning awards is nothing new to Gold.
In addition to getting recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Program, Gold is also an accomplished musician, specializing in percussion.
In early 2024, Gold was named the first-place winner in the 2023 Nutmeg Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition.
“These remarkable students exemplify the very best of Connecticut, and we take great pride in celebrating their success," Lamont said in a statement on Wednesday.
"I look forward to following their continued growth and future contributions in education, career, and community. Connecticut’s reputation for educational excellence is made possible by the dedicated teachers and school leaders across our state who work tirelessly to ensure every student has access to a high-quality education.”
Added Russell-Tucker: “This remarkable achievement reflects their outstanding academic abilities, strong work ethic, and impressive leadership skills, making them exemplary representatives of our state. Their continued academic growth will serve as an inspiration to students statewide, and we look forward to the next phase of their academic journey and the positive impact they will continue to make in their communities.”
The U.S. Department of Education selected the program’s 61st class of 161 high school seniors from a national pool of student semifinalists.
They were nominated for 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.
Each year, the U.S. Department of Education invites states to nominate students for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
The Connecticut State Department of Education invites school districts to recommend students for the program.
For the full list of 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars, click on this link.