Hoffman Estates student named Presidential Scholar

Mengran “Meran” Liu, a senior at Hoffman Estates High School in Hoffman Estates, was one of two Illinois students named Presidential Scholars.

She will be recognized June 16 at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., where she will receive a Presidential Scholar Medallion.

Liu, the daughter of Minghui and Bing Liu of Hoffman Estates, selected Steve Loh of Hoffman Estates as her most influential teacher, and he will have the opportunity to attend the ceremony where he will be honored with a Teacher Recognition Award. Loh taught science at Hoffman Estates High School until he retired last year. He also coached baseball.

Liu’s selection was announced by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

“Honoring Presidential Scholars is an important celebration of students showing the

dedication, creativity and ambition to become future leaders,” Duncan said in a news release. The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, appointed by President Obama, selects scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.

Of the 3 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, 141 were designated Presidential Scholars. The other Illinois finalist was Matthew C. Wagener of Lake Forest High School.

In Illinois, the two winners were among 18 finalists from among more than 130 applicants.

Other finalists from the Northwest suburbs included Barrington resident John R. Trimberger, who attends St. Viator High School; Buffalo Grove resident Michika Maeda, who attends Stevenson High School; Kildeer residents Kathy Y. Li and Andelyn M. Russell, who both attend Stevenson; Palatine resident Andrew B. Song, who attends Fremd High School; and Rolling Meadows resident William Shih, who also attends Fremd.