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Arts Academy students selected as 2024 Presidential Scholar in the Arts candidates

Singer-songwriter major Remi Baker and acting major Christian Trimmingham are among the 60 high school seniors nominated for the nation’s highest honor for young creatives.

Remi Baker and Christian Trimmingham

Popular performance major Remi Baker (left) and acting major Christian Trimmingham (right).

Two Interlochen Arts Academy students have been selected as nominees for the 2024 Presidential Scholars in the Arts.

Remi Baker (IAA 22-24), a singer-songwriter major from Greensboro, Georgia, and Christian Trimmingham (IO 21, IAC 22, IAA 22-24), an acting major from Richmond, Virginia are among a cohort of just 60 high school seniors from across the United States chosen as candidates for the nation’s highest honor for young creatives.

In addition to Baker and Trimmingham, four Interlochen Arts Camp alumni were also selected as nominees: Classical vocalist Detola Badmus (IAC 23) of Elmont, New York; dancer Sara Guo (IAC 19-23) of Houston, Texas; horn player Hayden Joyce (IAC 20-21) of Middlebury, Indiana; and classical vocalist Gabrielle Liberman (IAC 23) of Summit, New Jersey.

Candidates are identified through the YoungArts competition, which serves as the sole nominating agency for the Presidential Scholars in the Arts. All YoungArts winners with distinction are invited to participate in the annual National YoungArts Week in Miami, Florida, during which they enjoy classes, workshops, and performances and are evaluated for nomination for Presidential Scholars in the Arts.

Nominees will submit applications to the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, which will review the applications and select 20 students to be recognized as Presidential Scholars in the Arts. Scholars will be celebrated during an online recognition program and will receive a U.S. Presidential Scholar medallion in June.

Established in 1979, the Presidential Scholars in the Arts program honors high school seniors who exemplify both academic and artistic excellence. Since the program’s inception, 50 Interlochen Arts Academy students have been recognized as Presidential Scholars in the Arts—more than any other high school in the nation.