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Dan Viox Named Presidential Scholar

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings has announced the selection of Dan Viox, a member of the SLUH Class of 2007, as a Presidential Scholar. Viox is one of only two students chosen from Missouri, and one of 121 American high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, leadership, citizenship, service and contribution to school and community. Viox and the other Presidential Scholars will be honored for their accomplishments June 23-27 in Washington D.C.

"The 2007 Presidential Scholars represent the great gift we have in our nation’s youth," Spellings said. "The academic achievement and their spirit of leadership and service will ensure their success in the 21st century knowledge economy. They exemplify the standard of excellence that we are striving for in all our schools across the United States, and their skills, energy and innovation will enable America to set a competitive pace for the changing world."

The 121 Presidential Scholars include one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large. A 27-member Commission on Presidential Scholars, appointed by President Bush, selected the scholars based on their academic success, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.

In April, the Commission on Presidential Scholars announced the semifinalists for the award. Ten seniors, five male and five female, were selected from Missouri as semifinalists. Three SLUH students were named: Micah Manary, Christian Ronzio and Dan Viox.

"The fact that three of the five boys in Missouri were from St. Louis U. High is just tremendous," said Academic Assistant Principal Mark Michalski. "It says really good things about our school and about this year's senior class."

On May 2, the Secretary of Education announced the winners, and Dan Viox was selected as the young man who will represent Missouri among the 2007 Presidential Scholars.

"I think it's a nice recognition of all the hard work that I've put in over my four years at SLUH," said Viox. "It's good being recognized at a national level."

Winners receive a trip to Washington, D.C., accompanied by a teacher of their choice, to attend five days of activities and an awards ceremony. Activities include lectures and seminars with top educators, government officials, authors and scientists. Viox has selected physics teacher Mr. Paul Baudendistel as his teacher honoree (though Mr. Baudendistel will not be able to make the trip to Washington due to a prior conflict).

Some of Viox's accomplishments and activities at SLUH include: recipient of the Pfizer Award for Excellence in Research in 2006; co-founder of the SLUH chapter of the math honor society Mu Alpha Theta; varsity runner on the cross-country teams that placed 2nd and 4th in state; a middle-distance runner on the 2006 SLUH state championship track and field team; member of the symphonic band as a violinist; and, he serves as a senior advisor to freshmen, a President's Ambassador at SLUH, and a math tutor.

Viox plans to attend Vanderbilt University in the fall where, coincidentally, the Chair of the Department of Physics is Dr. Robert Scherrer of the SLUH class of '77.

Published: May 08, 2007 | Categories: Alumni, Faculty & Staff, Homepage, News Section, Parents, Students
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