SEATTLE – Two Catholic high school seniors have been nominated for the honor of U.S. Presidential Scholars.

Joe Oczkewicz of Pope John Paul II High School in Lacey, and Paden Nichols of Seattle Preparatory High School are among more than 4,500 seniors around the county who have been nominated. Oczkewicz was nominated by the state superintendent of public instruction; Nichols said he was nominated on the basis of his SAT score.

“I think it’s been a really good thing for my school,” Oczkewicz said of his nomination, noting that JPII has about 100 students. “It reflects well on the school and how they’re helping other people.”

News of the nominations came as a surprise to both Oczkewicz and Nichols.

“I was taking a nap when my phone buzzed and I saw it was an email,” said Nichols, who lives in Des Moines and attended St. Francis of Assisi School in Burien. Oczkewicz said he was in a leadership meeting when his principal, Therese Allin, shared the news.

The Presidential Scholars program, started in 1964, recognizes the nation’s distinguished high school seniors. Nominees are selected based on exceptional scores on the SAT or ACT college admission tests, personal character, involvement in school and community activities, leadership qualities and superior academic and artistic achievements. Over the decades, the criteria has expanded to include seniors who exhibit exceptional talent in creative, visual and performing arts, and accomplishments in career and technical education fields.

Nichols, who has a 4.0 grade-point average, is Seattle Prep’s senior class president, a captain for the mock trial team, a captain of the crew team and a member of the National Honor Society. Outside school, he helps other students of all ages through one-on-one tutoring in all subjects.

Paden Nichols, a captain of the crew team at Seattle Preparatory School, has been named a candidate for the U.S. Presidential Scholars program. Photo: Courtesy Paden Nichols

Oczkewicz, who also has 4.0 GPA, is associated student body president and is active in school sports — basketball, cross country, and track and field. He is vice president of Future Business Leaders of America, and a member of the STEM Club, competing in the space scenario-based Stellar Explorers events.

Oczkewicz recently completed his Boy Scout Eagle project, building an ADA-compliant ramp at Sacred Heart Church in Lacey. He volunteers with the Thurston County Food Bank and the summer camp program offered by Lacey Parks and Recreation.

Joe Oczkewicz competes in track and field for Pope John Paul II High School in Lacey. The senior has been nominated for the U.S. Presidential Scholars program. Photo: Courtesy Joe Oczkewicz

As part of the selection process, both students will submit essays on how they would change the world, as well as reflections on different pieces of literature, science and visual arts, Oczkewicz said.

Approximately 800 seniors will be chosen as semifinalists. Up to 161 Presidential Scholars (out of 3.6 million high school seniors set to graduate in 2021) will be selected by the Commission on Presidential Scholars, comprised of 32 citizens appointed by the president. The Presidential Scholars will be announced in May, and if pandemic restrictions permit, they will be invited to Washington, D.C., in June to receive Presidential Scholar Medallions.

If he is named a Presidential Scholar, Nichols said, he will credit his teachers, past and present. “They’ve had a profound effect on me, and this will be one way to show my respect for them,” he said.

Oczkewicz said being honored would be “a great closure to high school, and be a great reflection on my school community and the hard work my teachers have put in.”