Big Rapids High School Student Nominated for Prestigious Presidential Scholar Award

Benjamin Wayne, a senior at Big Rapids High School, has been nominated as an arts candidate for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Benjamin Wayne, a senior at Big Rapids High School in Michigan, has been nominated as an arts candidate for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Wayne was selected by the state superintendent and is now part of a pool of roughly 6,000 students nationwide invited to apply for the prestigious award, which recognizes graduating seniors for academic success, leadership, and service.

Why it matters

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is a highly selective national honor that celebrates exceptional high school students. Wayne's nomination as an arts candidate highlights his outstanding achievements in the performing arts and his potential to be recognized as one of the top graduating seniors in the country.

The details

Wayne, who serves as the librarian on the officer board for the Big Rapids High School Theatrical Arts Department, has performed in every school production since 2022. He was also selected as a state thespian officer with the Michigan Educational Theater Association, where he worked with other students to plan leadership camps and the annual Thespian Festival. Wayne is now completing an online application that includes multiple essays and supporting materials from his school.

  • On Tuesday night, Wayne received a letter from the U.S. Department of Education notifying him of his nomination.
  • Applications for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program are due on March 12, 2026.
  • The 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars are expected to be announced in September 2026.

The players

Benjamin Wayne

A senior at Big Rapids High School in Michigan who has been nominated as an arts candidate for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Michigan Educational Theater Association

The organization that selected Wayne as a state thespian officer, where he worked with other students to plan leadership camps and the annual Thespian Festival.

U.S. Department of Education

The government agency that notified Wayne of his nomination for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

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What they’re saying

“I was sitting at home on Tuesday night and my mom opened up this letter and it had something from the Department of Education. I just glanced at it. I'm like, this might be a scam. Then, I actually looked this up, and I went on the government website looking for this scholar thing, and I had a list of candidates. My name's on it. I was like, wait, this is actually legit. This is the actual government telling me I'm a candidate for some award.”

— Benjamin Wayne, Student (bigrapidsnews.com)

“It wouldn't be without the help of my teachers and of everyone in my troupe and my friends, that's who made it possible.”

— Benjamin Wayne, Student (bigrapidsnews.com)

What’s next

Wayne is completing an online application that includes multiple essays and supporting materials from his school. Applications are due on March 12, 2026, and the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars are expected to be announced in September 2026.

The takeaway

Benjamin Wayne's nomination as an arts candidate for the prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is a testament to his exceptional talents and achievements in the performing arts. His recognition at the national level highlights the importance of supporting and nurturing the artistic talents of high school students, and serves as an inspiration for other young artists in the community.