SOUTH FORSYTH — A Forsyth County high school student was among 13 in the state named semifinalists in the 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.

Lambert High School’s Rebecca X. Yan and the other Georgia students may be chosen as one of the up to 141 U.S. Presidential Scholars from 565 semifinalists.

“Lambert High School is so incredibly proud of Rebecca for her dedication and hard work,” said Lambert Principal Gary Davison. “Rebecca is a tremendous young lady who serves as role model for all the other students who are around here.

“Lambert is so fortunate to have been able to see Rebecca grow into the fantastic young lady that she has become. I am positive she will change the world in a positive manner.”

Students have the opportunity to become U.S. Presidential Scholars based on two paths of achievement, according to the Georgia Department of Education communications office.

The majority of the scholars are selected on the basis of broad academic achievement, while 20 additional students are selected based on their academic and artistic scholarship in the visual arts, performing arts or creative writing.

Each year, more than 3,900 candidates are identified for the academic component of the program after scoring exceptionally high on the SAT or ACT college entrance tests.

About 20 female and 20 male candidates are chosen from each state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and from families of U.S. citizens living abroad.

Each chief state school officer may also nominate five male and five female candidates, based out their outstanding scholarship.

For the arts component, students are initially selected based on artistic ability.

To confirm their interest and assist in the selection process, all academic and arts candidates complete and submit materials for review, including essays, self-assessments, secondary school reports and transcripts.

“Receiving this honor is not possible without diligence, persistence and a true desire to seek knowledge,” said State School Superintendent Richard Woods. “I wish them the best as selection continues and cannot wait to see what they accomplish in the future.”

Names and supporting materials of semifinalists are forwarded to the for further review to the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, which will select up to 121 academic scholars and up to 20 arts scholars.