Boekhout named Presidential Scholar

Christian Boekhout, who is graduating today as valedictorian of Hot Springs World Class High School's class of 2018, was recently named one of three Presidential Scholars in Arkansas.

The Presidential Scholars Program through the Department of Education serves to recognize some of the nation's top graduating students, and 161 students were recognized for 2018.

"The Presidential Scholar program is a distinguished honor handed out essentially by the White House and the Department of Education from Washington, D.C., and I guess it's a national recognition for I guess the top students in each state," Boekhout said. "Each state gets, from what I understand, a boy and girl representative in addition to representatives from the arts, and other specific subcategories."

Boekhout said he was nominated by his teacher Paula Redding, International Baccalaureate diploma coordinator for the high school.

"It was actually a pretty hefty application; bigger than some of the scholarship applications I've done," he said. "I had to fill it out, and (Redding) and the counselor (Amy Snider) had to write all the recommendations.

"It started with a list of semifinalists and then to finalists and then they move to those who got it. It was sort of mind-boggling to watch all the kids I was up against in semifinalists, or in the nominated list, because I know a lot of them from other events, and I know how great of kids they are. So then to be chosen is kind of like 'Whoa.'"

Boekhout said he plans to take a much-needed break this summer after "13 years of working hard," but in the fall will attend the University of Notre Dame. Throughout his time as a student, Boekhout has represented Arkansas four times in the National Geography Bee and plans to pursue a degree in global studies.

"That was some of the best experiences of my life," he said of representing the state in the national competition. "I went to D.C. four times. I would meet up with kids from all around the nation, and different parts of the world as well ... who had the same interest in geography as I did which is an interest you don't really see a lot in middle schoolers. So it was really cool to get together with people who had the same interest as me."

Along with global studies, Boekhout said he will also either study anthropology or political science.

"I'm thinking maybe a career in global affairs, but for sure something that has to do with international aspects," he said.

The IB program at the high school, he said, has prepared him not only for college but for life outside the classroom.

"Just Hot Springs High in general and the diversity we have is something I don't see a lot of at other schools, and it's helped me as a person just by being here -- not necessarily in academics," he said.

"The IB program for sure is rigorous and there's a lot of stuff to it, and Ms. Redding. On the application, I got to nominate a teacher, just because for one, she's been teaching so long and knows all the ins and outs ... but she's also like our counselor. ... A lot of what I've accomplished wouldn't be possible without Ms. Redding."

From what Boekhout said he has found in his research, he is the first scholar selected from Garland County since at least 2007.

"I looked at previous years to look for people in Garland County who have gotten this, and I didn't see anybody dating back to 2007," he said. "From what I know I'm the first in Garland County to get this award, but a couple from Little Rock have gotten it before. There's a girl from Maumelle that got it this year."

Principal Taryn Echols said the high school is very proud of Boekhout's accomplishment.

"We are so proud of Christian," Echols said. "To know that he is the number one student in the state means a lot to us."

Echols said it is the desire of the high school to "educate and produce well-rounded students," and Boekhout academically is "stellar, but he embodies qualities of compassion, empathy and leadership that cannot be taught."

"I remember him when I first came to HSSD," she said. "My principal at the time talked about him constantly and accompanied him to the National Geography (Bee) in Washington several times. She always spoke of his character. We pride ourselves on the diversity and welcoming all students to learn, grow and be prepared for college or career endeavors. Christian will leave a legacy here of determination, pride and service."

Similarly, Hot Springs School Superintendent Stephanie Nehus said the district is equally as proud.

"Hot Springs School District is extremely proud of the accomplishments of Christian Boekhout," she said. "It is such a high honor for him to be selected as a U.S. Presidential Scholar. His selection is just another example of excellence in Hot Springs School District and in Garland County. Our community should be proud of our schools and our students who will be our future leaders."