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Park Record, May 3, 2024--South Summit High School Senior Dayton Fry is a semifinalist for the U.S. Presidential Scholar Award. 

Local fourth graders know him as Dayton Fry the Science Guy. Others know him as South Summit High School’s student board representative or Science Sterling Scholar Runner Up. Some know him as a mountain biker and track athlete. What many may not know about Dayton is that after being narrowed down from 4,000 applicants, he is one of only eight Utah high school candidates being considered for the U.S. Presidential Scholar Award. 

The Presidential Scholar Program was created 60 years ago, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Not just anyone can apply: It’s by invitation only. Fry’s high school advisor Mrs. Regan nominated him earlier this year, and they began the intensive application process soon after. Dayton will find out later this month if his semifinalist status changes to finalist when they announce the official Scholars for 2024.

South Summit School District was founded in 1913 and serves over 1,600 students throughout four schools. Their mission is to support, empower and inspire individuals to promote and achieve academic and character excellence.