Kearney High senior Isabella Cao named U.S. Presidential Scholar

KEARNEY, NE — A Kearney High senior is being recognized as one of the top high school scholars in the nation.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced Isabella Cao as one of 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars on Thursday. The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as a demonstrated commitment to community service and leadership.

Of the 3.7 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,000 candidates qualified for the 2022 awards. Cao and Jonathon Cenovic of Omaha were chosen from Nebraska.

Cao will attend Harvard University for college. Her parents are Haishi Cao and Yue Liu.

Involvement and accomplishments:

Valedictorian, 4.0 Scholar, ACT Honor Roll, President’s Academic Fitness Award, Omaha World Herald Academic All-State Team, National Merit Finalist, National Honor Society, FBLA – President, Student Diversity Board Cofounder, Youth Friend of Kearney 2022, Competitive Math Club cofounder