MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – When Esperance J. Han was first selected as a semi-finalist to become a U.S. Presidential Scholar; she didn’t put much stock in it because it’s so competitive.
Han was chosen as a candidate through the Quest Bridge Scholars Program. The program chooses 20 students from a pool of thousands of applicants to be selected for the award. Han was one of them.
“Quest Bridge said they have a few semi-finalists, but they don’t get winners all the time,” explained Han.
All skepticism and self-doubt quickly vanished when Han found out earlier this month she had been selected as a Presidential Scholar.
“My first reaction was to just jump up and down,” said Han. “It was a really awesome experience.”
The Presidential Scholars Program is one of the highest honors a high school student can achieve. The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects students based on accomplishments in academics, the arts, career and technical education and an outstanding commitment to public service. Scholars must also score exceptionally well on the SAT or the ACT.
Han now joins an elite class of six students selected from the state of Florida this year and only 161 students nationwide.
Historically, the scholars would travel to Washington, D.C., to meet the President of the United States. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony shifted to virtual and remains that way.
Han and other fellow scholars want to change things back to the old ways.
“Right now, a lot of us students are trying to petition with the Department of Education,” said Han. If the petition for this year falls flat, Han hopes the Department of Education at least considers flying out scholars to D.C. in the future.
Regardless, Han looks towards the future where a full-ride scholarship to her dream school, Yale University, awaits. Han will be pursuing a major in Environmental Sciences.
“I really like learning about ecology and the environment, and I love taking care of the environment,” said Han.
When reflecting on her journey, Han says that students who are facing insecurities should never give up on pursuing success.
“Trust me, when I was doing applications, it was such a stressful process that was filled with a lot of self-doubt,” said Han. “I kept telling myself I was doing this for no reason and there’s too many people that are applying. But you have to battle with yourself.”
She concluded with, “I would encourage every student who is facing insecurities and self-doubt to spread their arms wide and go for everything. There will be rejection, but there will always be something good that happens after rejection. Throw your net, and you’ll be surprised what happens.”