Kelso High School senior, Kelso Cosgrove, has advanced to be a semifinalist in the 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Starting from a pool of over 5,000 candidates nation-wide, Cosgrove was one of 100 from the state of Washington, and one of only four from SW Washington. He is now one of 620 national semifinalists selected from the larger pool of candidates, one of 10 semifinalists from Washington, and the only semifinalist from SW Washington.
This accomplishment comes after enduring unusually difficult circumstances. Cosgrove lost both his brothers—the first while he was in 3rd grade, and the second while he was in 8th grade. The resilient young man has let the passing of his brothers become motivation to be the best version of himself; describing the experience as having both “destroyed” him and “rebuilt” him at the same time.
Throughout his high school career, Cosgrove has maintained a 4.0 GPA while working part-time and completing over 110 hours of volunteer service. His leadership includes time as a teen mentor at Barnes Elementary, through Honor Society, and as an Outstanding Junior Masonic Award nominee.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Students nominated for the program are evaluated based on academic scholarship, commitment to learning, engagement in activities and service, leadership, resiliency in overcoming challenges, and potential for a productive future.
The Commission on U.S. Presidential Scholars will soon complete its selection of the high school seniors who will be named as the 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars. The Commission's choices will be announced in mid-May by the U.S. Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona.