It was former Schoolteacher Lyndon Johnson's own idea: the accolade of "presidential scholar," to be bestowed on outstanding students as they finished high school and headed for college. Announcing the program in April, the President said, "These awards are to recognize the most precious resource of the United States the brain power of its young people to encourage the pursuit of intellectual attainment among all our young people." This week the first year's scholars, 121 strong, gather in the White House for a presidential handshake and a medal designed by Sculptor Jacques Lipchitz.
Winners were chosen by a...
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