Anne E. Lee is among 121 national academic scholars chosen for their exceptional performance on the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), school transcripts, student essays, self-assessments and description of activities. An additional 20 Presidential Scholars were recognized for their accomplishments in the visual or performing arts, or creative writing.

Lee also was selected to receive a $2,000 National Merit Scholarship last month and was named a finalist in the Maryland Distinguished Scholar Program earlier this year. She intends to study medicine/neuroscience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, a 32-member panel appointed by President Clinton, selected the Presidential Scholars from 550 semifinalists who, in turn, were chosen from among 2.5 million graduating high school seniors. The scholars include one male and female from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and from U.S. students living abroad, 15 students at-large, and 20 scholars in the arts.

Three other local students were semifinalists for the honor: Carleton P. Goold of Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School and Gretchen J. Raff and Ashutosh Sahu of Montgomery Blair High School.

In total, Maryland had two academic Presidential Scholars and two Presidential Scholars in the Arts.

The scholars will be honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., during Presidential Scholars National Recognition Week June 28-July 2, where each will receive a Presidential Scholar medallion.

The program also will honor educators named by each scholar as having the most impact on his or her academic or artistic accomplishments. Lee selected Eliot J. Applestein, a psychology teacher at Montgomery Blair High School. Applestein and other chosen educators will receive certificates of excellence from the U.S. Department of Education at the recognition ceremony.