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WEST CHESTER TWP. — Lakota West graduate Raymond Xi was named Presidential Scholar and honored by Congressman John Boehner June 24.

Xi, who plans to attend Yale University in the fall where he will study mathematics and economics, is the first student in the Lakota Local School District to earn this honor.

"Raymond Xi is an outstanding student, and I congratulate him on earning national recognition as a Presidential Scholar," Boehner said in a release. "Lakota West High School is one of the best schools in Ohio's 8th Congressional District, and this award also honors the dedication of the school community to giving students a well-rounded education."

Xi's school activities included president of Mu Alpha Theta, the mathematics honor society, captain of the Academic Quiz team, Peer Counseling leader and head of the Engineering Tech Society. He also plays piano, belongs to the National Honor Society and Junior Classical League and is a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society. He also is a member of Lakota West's Ultimate Frisbee Team.

The Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson to recognize the nation's outstanding high school scholars. Today, the program honors the achievements of both scholars and artists. More than 5,000 American high school students have been honored. One male and one female student from each state and the District of Columbia are selected as well as 15 at-large students, a number of students living abroad and up to 20 students in the arts are selected through the U.S. Department of Education based on their academic achievements, service, leadership and creativity.

Xi, who could not be reached for comment, traveled to Washington, D.C., with his parents, Xiaobing and Hui Wang; his brother, James Yihua; and his grandmother, Duqing Chen. While there he got to tour and also meet with President George W. Bush.