Local Student Daisy Jacobson Named Presidential Scholar

Manhattan Beach local Daisy Jacobson was selected as a 2013 U.S. Presidential Scholar this week by the U.S. Secretary of Education.

Jacobson, who attends Chadwick School in Palos Verdes, was one of only 141 high school seniors nationwide to receive the designation that recognizes outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service and contribution to the community. 

"Presidential Scholars demonstrate the accomplishments that can be made when students challenged themselves, set the highest standards, and commit themselves to excellence," U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in a statement. "I’m honored to celebrate their creativity, hard work, and community service, and I encourage them – and all students – to continue to showcase the capacity for greatness in our nation's young people.”

On top of the rare honor of becoming a Presidential Scholar, Jacobson was also only one of 20 students chosen for his or her achievements in the arts, according to spokesperson Cecilia Gorog.

Jacobson is an accomplished ballerina and will be attending Julliard next year, Gorog said. She currently trains at South Bay Ballet in Torrance and is a big part of the Chadwick School's dance program

The program recognizes one young man and one young woman in each state as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and from U.S. families living abroad.

Jacobson will attend an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. in June to accept the Presidential Scholar honor.