COVINGTON — A senior at Holmes High School in Covington has been named one of two Presidential Scholars in Kentucky.

        Madeleine Dwertman, 18, of Park Hills learned of the honor — awarded to 141 students in the nation — in a Monday letter.

        The Education Secretary announced the honorees, chosen by a 32-member commission from a field of 2,600 candidates, initially identified from SAT and ACT performance.

        The students were chosen for academic achievement, as well as leadership and character.

        “She is co-valedictorian (with Martin Kuchle) for this year. She has all A's or A-pluses all four years. She is an outstanding student and very creative,” said Holmes Principal Bill Grein.

        The daughter of Mark and Gail Dwertman transfered to Holmes from Notre Dame Academy in Park Hills in the middle of her sophomore year.

        Though the Covington Independent Schools — and Holmes High itself — were identified in a state audit as some of the poorest performing in the state, Mr. Grein said the school has always had strengths and is building them.

        “We've always had a strong International Baccalaureate program and we've always had students who have been recognized in that program,” he said.

        One of those IB students is Ms. Dwertman, who is headed to Brown University in Rhode Island.

        She also is a National Merit Scholar, Golden Galaxy Finalist, Finalist in Lazarus Humanitarian Award, Grand Prize Winner in Eastern Medalist Writing Competition (dramatic script) and attended the Governor's School for the Arts.

        But she said being named a Presidential Scholar is probably the biggest honor she's won. “It was a surprise,” she said.

        Ms. Dwertman is a mentor at the Brighton Center and was a Math Counts tutor at St. Agnes School in Fort Wright.

        All the scholars will visit Washington, D.C., June 26-July 1. They will have lunch with President Bush.

        Three Ohio students and three Indiana students — all from outside the Greater Cincinnati area — received the honor as well.

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