CAMDEN — Watershed senior Thor Gabrielsen has been named a semifinalist of the 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars, making him one of six semifinalists in Maine. (There are three male semifinalists and three female.)

Gabrielsen is among 620 semifinalists nationwide who have been selected from a pool of over 5,000 candidates. The Commission on U.S. Presidential Scholars will soon complete its selection of the high school seniors who will be named as the 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars.

The Commission's choices will be announced in mid-May by the U.S. Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors.

In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.

Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.

Watershed School is an independent high school located in Camden, serving students who are looking for a challenging academic program in the context of a supportive and enthusiastic school culture. A Watershed education is built on the principle that exceptional individual growth develops out of strong teacher-student relationships within the context of a close-knit community, according to a news release from the school.