Uxue Sansinena
LAPS News:
Los Alamos High School senior Uxue Sansinena has been named a semifinalist in the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Six hundred twenty-one semifinalists were selected from more than 6,000 candidates expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2025.
Sansinena is the daughter of Jose-Maria Sansinena and Virginia Olazabal. She is president of the LAHS National Honor Society, drum major for the high school marching band, president of the French club, executive director of the Hilltalkers, Key Club president and a student director for the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation. She is also involved with Rotary Interact and Mu Alpha Theta.
Last summer Sansinena was an intern for the New Mexico Legislative Education Study committee and worked on a statewide middle school reform project, providing policy recommendations to the committee in October 2024.
After graduation, she is planning on pursuing an undergraduate degree in political science with a focus in public policy before attending law school.
Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, now in its 61st year, is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors.
Scholars are selected on the basis of their accomplishment in many areas—academic and artistic success, accomplishment in career and technical fields, leadership, strong character and involvement in school and the community.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments in academics, leadership, and service to school and community. It was expanded in 1979 to recognize students demonstrating exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was expanded once again to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical fields.
Annually, up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen from among that year’s senior class, representing excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America’s youth. Each year Scholars are presented with a Presidential Scholars Medallion.
A distinguished panel of educators have reviewed these submissions and selected the semifinalists. They will complete the final selection of the high school seniors who will be named as the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars, and the names of those students will be announced by U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.
The Presidential Scholars Class of 2025 will be recognized for their outstanding achievement in June during the online National Recognition Program. Scholars are awarded the Presidential Scholars Medallion.
