Stevenson student wins national award

A Stevenson High School senior has been named a U.S. Presidential Scholar, one of only five teens from Illinois to be recognized this year.

Zach Blumenfeld, of Lincolnshire, was tapped for the prize this week by the U.S. Department of Education. Nationwide, only 141 students received the honor.

Blumenfeld said he was shocked by the honor. He’d read about previous winners and didn’t think his resume compared to theirs.

“I really was not expecting it,” Blumenfeld said. “I feel honored and flattered to be recognized by the Department of Education.”

Presidential Scholar recipients are selected based on academic achievement, leadership qualities, personal character and involvement in community and school activities, according to a Stevenson High news release.

Blumenfeld is captain of both the school’s Scholastic Bowl squad and the water polo team. He gained fame by competing on the “Jeopardy!” TV quiz show’s teen tournament in 2009.

Blumenfeld and the other scholars will be honored in Washington, D.C, from June 18-21. Recipients can bring their most influential teachers on the trip, and Blumenfeld chose U.S. government teacher Andrew Conneen to accompany him.

Conneen, who said he hopes to make the trip, called Blumenfeld an exceptional student and leader.

“Zach is an incredibly eclectic student with interests that range from politics to water polo to the rock band Rush,” Conneen said.

Naperville Central High School student Kevin Hu and Highland Park High School’s Dana Schwartz were among the other Illinois winners.