Parker School Senior a Presidential Scholar Semifinalist

A senior from Parker School in Waimea has been selected as a semifinalist in the 2014 US Presidential Scholars Program.

Lysha Matsunobu is the only Big Island student semifinalist among the six chosen from Hawaii.

Nationwide, 565 are vying to become Presidential Scholars, one of the highest honors for high school students.

Two more of the six also attend a private school: Matthew Beattie-Callahan and Spencer Kiehm of Iolani School on Oahu.

The other three attend public schools. They are Nicole Fernandez from Radford High, Trent Hori from Maui High and Viola Mocz from Mililani High.

Matsunobu is a Richard Smart Scholar and also a National Merit finalist. She has been named an AP Scholar with Distinction, and has earned the National Forensics League Degree of Distinction for her accomplishments on the debate team.