Charter seniors semifinalists for national honor

Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy seniors Kyle Roth and W. Leif Fredericks have been named semifinalists in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Roth, of Rathdrum, and Fredericks, of Dalton Gardens, are among 565 semifinalists selected nationwide from a pool of 4,000 candidates. Semifinalists are chosen based on superior achievements, leadership qualities, personal character, involvement in the community and school activities. Students' essays, self-assessments, school recommendations and transcripts are reviewed by a panel of educators.

Each year, a White House Commission appointed by the president selects two Presidential Scholars, a boy and a girl, from each state. There are six Idaho semi-finalists this year. Final selection will be announced in May.

Scholars will be invited to Washington, D.C., in June to receive the U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion and participate in events in their honor.

Since the program's inception in 1964, six Kootenai County residents have received the honor.

Most recently, another Charter Academy student, Katie Waltar, earned the distinction in 2012.

Nick Induni of Hayden, a Coeur d'Alene High School graduate, was one of Idaho's scholars in 2011.

Other previous scholars include Tamara Felton, Post Falls High, 1989; Bruce Reed, Coeur d'Alene High, 1978; Maria Fiala, Lakeland High, 1969; and Jennie Orr, Coeur d'Alene High, 1969.