Daniel Lang is a U.S. Presidential Scholars semifinalist. Lang is a senior at Bob Jones High School. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Daniel Lang has been named a semi-finalist in the 2014 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. He is one of only nine students in Alabama to reach this level.

Lang, a Bob Jones High School senior, credits college and career advisor Sheila Roberts as “a tremendous help to me. She wrote several recommendations on my behalf.”

Candidates are selected based on ACT scores. “I became eligible with a score of 35 (first round) and was invited to write several essays,” Lang said.

Based on these essays, the pool was narrowed to 565 students nationwide as semi-finalists. Officials will announce 141 finalists in mid-May.

Lang’s GPA is 4.7. His favorite subjects are biology, economics and English. “I find that I have an innate ability to succeed in them,” he said. “I’ve had some smart, talented teachers at Bob Jones.”

At Bob Jones, Lang founded and serves as president of the Citizens of the World Club. He was an Alabama Boys State delegate, team captain for Relay for Life and EnviroBowl teams and a National Merit semifinalist.

As an officer in International Genetically Engineered Machine (IGEM), he worked on a bacterium project with HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. He participates in Young Politicians, Interact Club, National Honor Society and honor societies for science and English.

Lang has earned numerous academic awards. He excelled in essay competition with the Alabama Scholastic Press Association. His artwork earned kudos with the Daughters of the American Revolution contest.

In volunteer work, Lang has helped with CASA gardens, Asbury Community Thrift Store, Walk to Cure ALS and tutored students in math with Mu Alpha Theta.

“I love basketball and played for years in the Basketball Association of Madison recreational league. I like to work out and hang out with my friends,” he said.

Daniel’s parents are Tracy DeBerry and Chris Lang.

Lang will attend Vanderbilt University, which awarded him the Chancellor’s Scholarship. “I’m interested in finance and economics and plan to continue past my four-year degree for an MBA or to attend law school,” he said.