BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) - Two students from the Mississippi Gulf Coast were named U.S. Presidential Scholars today.

Of the nine semifinalists , Long Beach Senior High School graduate Alexis Griffith and Gulfport High School graduate Jackson Alexander Pearce were among three students from the state who received the honor.

Two students from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. families living abroad were selected as U.S. Presidential Scholars.

In addition, the slate honored today includes 15 scholars chosen at-large, 20 scholars in the arts, and 20 scholars in career and technical education.

Students qualify for the award through outstanding performance on the SAT or ACT exam, or a nomination made by a chief state school officer. Of the 3.9 million students who grad

See Full Page