Packer’s own Ian Liu ‘23 was one of 161 outstanding American high school seniors named a 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholar. 

Each year, The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects students across the country who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, technical expertise, leadership, community service, and commitment to their school and community. Ian was one of six students from New Jersey who were honored this year.

“I was very shocked,” Liu shared when asked about hearing the news of receiving the honor. As part of the process, he had to submit a personal essay and accompanying visual: “I wrote about my train commute, because I take a train two hours each way [from New Jersey] to and from Packer. I took a photo of my train station early in the morning. It might have been a snowy day, with the sunset…so it was a pretty nice photo. It was meaningful to me because this has been a big part of my life the last few years. This [train station] is my transition [to and from] school… this is my hard work.” 

Each Presidential Scholar is offered the opportunity to name their most influential teacher, who is also honored with a letter from the U.S. Secretary of Education. Ian acknowledged his mother, Packer World Language Teacher Li Ma.

Congratulations to both Ian and Li for their well-deserved and remarkable recognition. The Packer community is cheering you on!