Albuquerque Academy student Quinn Ennis was named a 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholar by the Department of Education last month. Of the 5,000 students who qualified for this year’s award, 161 were selected for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields.
“Today, I join President Biden to celebrate a class of scholars whose pursuit of knowledge, generosity of spirit, and exceptional talents bring our nation tremendous pride,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona during a May 12 announcement. “Throughout one of the most trying periods in our nation’s history and amid our recovery from the pandemic, our students have once again demonstrated their strength and that they have so much to contribute to our country. Thanks to them, I know America’s future is bright.”
One male and one female student from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. families living abroad, 15 students chosen at large, 20 scholars in the arts and 20 scholars in career and technical education were selected for the 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Isabel N. McCabe from McCabe Home School was the other New Mexico student named as a 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholar.
According to the Albuquerque Academy website, Ennis will major in physics at Yale University and is also a 2022 Bryan Cameron Impact Scholar. In August 2021, he started the nonprofit EFFECTS, which helps to bring “inquiry-based science education to underserved elementary school students in Albuquerque.” Ennis also participated in the Science Bowl, Science Olympiad, the chess team and student newspaper.
Albuquerque Academy’s Head of School Julianne Puente is quoted as saying, “Quinn being named a U.S. Presidential Scholar is not entirely surprising. He possesses an innate intellectual curiosity and sees the value in learning as much as he can about everything. He is also highly disciplined and self-driven. He is the real deal!”