Irvington High School's Julia Canning, 17, was recently named a candidate for the prestigious Presidential Scholars Program based on her outstanding academic record, dedication to service and excellence in athletics. This is one of the highest honors a high school senior can receive. Of the 3,000 candidates selected, only one young man and one young woman from each state will ultimately be chosen. The US Department of Education will announce the scholars in May.

We caught up with Canning to find out more about her nomination, her experience at IHS and her goals for the future. 

1) Where are you going to college (or, if you don't know yet, where did you apply?)

I don't know yet, but I applied to a lot of schools that are strong in engineering with a good liberal arts program, mainly on the east coast. 

2) What are your areas of academic interest (including the arts, or course)? 

I am very interested in math, science, and design.

3) What would be exciting for you about being selected for the program? (What about the experience would you find the most enriching etc.)

Finalists are given an expense-paid trip to Washington DC for a week, in which they have the opportunity to meet with scientists, government officials, authors, etc., visit museums, and attend recitals. I think it would be a great experience and a chance to meet some really exciting and interesting people. 

4) What are your extra-curricular interests?

I like to run; I've been part of the cross-country and track teams for the past four years. I am also a member of the Mock Trial club at my school, and a few friends and I restarted the science club this year. I also love to bake and decorate cakes.

5) What about Irvington High School helped you become one of the few students selected for the program? 

Students are originally chosen based upon their ACT and SAT scores, and I think Irvington High School prepared me well for these tests.

6) What accomplishment during your high school career are you proudest of?

I'm not sure whether I could really point to one accomplishment, in particular. I was proud of two papers I wrote for history class (one on the Bauhaus and the other on the Women Airforce Service Pilots), which received the Peter Oley Historian's Award. I was proud of a bench I made as part of a summer program at RISD and of my participation on the cross country team. 

7) What are your future aspirations/goals?

I'm planning on majoring in engineering in college, and I hope to work in the engineering field, particularly in product development, which I think would combine many of my interests. I find engineering as it applies to harnessing new energy sources and as it applies to the medical field in areas like prosthetics fascinating.