Tri-Cities senior named U.S. Presidential Scholar for his desire to help others

Court Saunders has been through a lot during his high school years.

When he was a freshman, his mother was diagnosed with colon cancer. The next year, his parents separated. And for the past year, he has lived on his own.

Even with those struggles, the Kamiakin High School senior is driven to make life better for others.

Saunders is one of 161 high school seniors across the country to be named a U.S. Presidential Scholar. Two students from each state are chosen, along with 15 at-large, 20 scholars in the arts and 20 scholars in career and technical education.

He was picked from about 5,300 candidates.

The female winner from Washington state was from Bellevue. And two career and technical winners were from LaCrosse and Odessa.

Students are judged on academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.

Kamiakin leaders nominated Saunders because of achievements in the classroom and his community-mindedness, the Kennewick School District said.

“I’m ecstatic about winning the award, though I do need to let it sink in a bit more before I get a real handle on it,” Saunders told the Herald. “It just feels so unreal that it’s taking a bit.”

He’s involved in the school’s drama and French clubs, student government and the Dungeons and Dragons club that he helped found.

“The one thing that brings me true joy is being able to help and bring smiles to others,” he said. “That’s why I do my best to do. I try to make at least one person smile every day.”

The teen will join other scholars this summer to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Details of the celebration haven’t been announced.

“These exemplary young people have excelled inside the classroom and out,” said U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos in a release about the scholars.

“And, while they are facing unprecedented challenges as they graduate from high school into a world that looks much different than it did just a few months ago, their determination, resilience, and commitment to excellence will serve them well as they pursue their next steps,” she said.

Saunders isn’t sure what his next steps will be after high school. He wants to go to college, but he’s not sure what he will study.