St. Andrew's Graduate is Named U.S. Presidential Scholar

Adriana Kroeze, a member of St. Andrew’s Class of 2026 and a freshman at Cornell University, has been named a 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholar, one of the nation’s most distinguished honors for graduating high school seniors. Her achievement reflects not only her academic accomplishments, but also the intellectual curiosity, discipline, and love of learning that have shaped her educational journey.

Established in 1964 by executive order of the President, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognizes and honors some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Each year, up to 161 students are selected for this prestigious honor.

For Kroeze, the recognition is both a meaningful milestone and a reminder of the aspirations that first inspired her.

“I feel so incredibly honored to receive this recognition. It feels like a meaningful affirmation of the hard work I’ve put into my education over the years,” Kroeze says. “I can recall reading about previous Presidential Scholars who had gone on to accomplish wonderful things, building lives and careers that I greatly admired. At the time, it was something I aspired to, so receiving this recognition just a year later feels surreal. I’m very grateful for this opportunity.”

At St. Andrew’s, Kroeze distinguished herself as a thoughtful and intellectually curious student whose interests extended well beyond the classroom. Her teachers recognized not only her academic ability, but also her commitment to learning and her willingness to engage deeply with challenging ideas.

Darin Maier, St. Andrew’s history teacher and former director of the Speech and Debate program, remembers Kroeze as a student who brought both intellectual curiosity and a strong sense of personal responsibility to her work.

“In addition to being a very bright young woman, Adriana also has the trait of being intellectually curious, which I observed in all the classes I taught her. She was a top student in Debate Competition, AP United States Government, and AP Comparative Government, winning the book award in Debate Competition. This, along with her high level of personal responsibility, made her a joy to teach and coach,” Maier says.

Kroeze credits her St. Andrew’s experience with providing the foundation that has helped her thrive at Cornell.

“My time at St. Andrew’s had a tremendous positive impact on me and prepared me for my success at Cornell. St. Andrew’s tradition of academic excellence provided me with a strong foundation and taught me to approach my studies with grit and discipline,” she says.

Her involvement in St. Andrew’s Speech and Debate program was particularly influential.

“My coaches, Mr. Maier and Mr. Shields, were both incredibly supportive role models throughout high school,” Kroeze says. “I believe that the program is somewhat underrated in just how much it teaches students about argumentation, public speaking, and becoming part of a connected community.”

Now at Cornell University, Kroeze is pursuing a double major in English and Government, disciplines that reflect her interests in writing, public policy, and the law. She is also a staff writer for both the Undergraduate International Law Review and the Cornell Undergraduate Humanities Review, continuing to explore her passion for writing beyond the classroom.

“I’m excited to continue learning throughout my undergraduate years and discover where these interests can take me!” she says.

Kroeze’s achievement is a testament to her own hard work and determination, as well as the enduring impact of the teachers, mentors, and educational experiences that have helped shape her journey. At St. Andrew’s, her story reflects the school’s commitment to preparing students not only for success in college, but for a lifetime of curiosity, purpose, and meaningful contribution.