Daniel Lang has been selected as a U.S. Presidential Scholar. Lang is a graduate of Bob Jones High School. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Daniel Lang, a recent graduate of Bob Jones High School, has been named U.S. Presidential Scholar, one of the highest accolades a high school senior can achieve.

Students qualify for the program with an exceptionally high score on either the ACT or SAT, Bob Jones College and Career Advisor Sheila Roberts said. For his first try, Daniel scored 35 (out of 36) on the ACT. As of early May, his GPA was 4.7.

Program officials identify the top 20 male and top 20 female examinees in each state, Roberts said. From this group, officials select one male and one female for each state.

In a rare scenario in 2013, two students from Bob Jones were named U.S. Presidential Scholars. “After winning two spots last year, it seemed likely that we would be overlooked this year,” Roberts said. “But Daniel was such an outstanding candidate that he will go to Washington this summer to meet the president.”

“I couldn’t be more proud of Daniel Lang,” Bob Jones Principal Robby Parker said. “Daniel is a shining star in the crown of Bob Jones High School.”

“We are so proud of Daniel and his remarkable accomplishments,” superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler said. “It takes a lot of hard work to reach this level of achievement. He is a wonderful representative for our community and our state.”

Daniel’s parents are Tracy DeBerry and Chris Lang.

This summer in Washington, all Presidential Scholars will meet government officials, educators, authors, musicians, scientists and businessmen and past Presidential Scholars.

Lang will attend Vanderbilt University, which awarded him the Chancellor’s Scholarship. He also received the Madison Mayor’s Scholarship. After studying finance and economics, he plans to pursue an MBA or attend law school.

At Bob Jones, he founded the Citizens of the World Club. He participated with Alabama Boys State, Relay for Life, EnviroBowl, International Genetically Engineered Machine, Young Politicians, Interact Club, National Honor Society and honor societies for science and English.