A big congratulations is in order for Cookeville High School (CHS) senior, Maddox Beaty. Beaty was nominated for being chosen as one of the Tennessee Department of Education’s (TDOE) nominees for the U.S. Presidential Scholars program. Beaty is one of 20 (10 males/10 females) selected and carefully reviewed by experts across the TDOE as a candidate for the Presidential Scholars program. 

“Receiving this news made me feel relieved. All the scholarships and offers for college are coming in and knowing that I have this additionally is a great feeling,” said Beaty. 

Cookeville High School counselor Julie Smith said it has been a couple of years since CHS senior has had a student receive a nomination as a U.S. Presidential Scholar.  

“it is a big deal when our students are chosen out of all seniors in Tennessee as a nominee. Maddox had to apply and then the school had a part to submit as well. Mrs. Hardin and myself helped from the school side, but Maddox had to take the initiative to do his part, which he did willingly. From there it went to the State of Tennessee to be reviewed.  We were thrilled when we heard the news. Maddox is a great student and well deserving of this recognition. We are very proud of him here at Cookeville High School.” 

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.The names of the 2023 Candidates named have been posted and Beaty’s name is one of them. The names of the Semifinalists will be posted in mid-April. The names of the 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars will be posted in early May.

“Now that Beaty has been named a candidate. He will go on to see if he makes it as a semifinalist and so on. Regardless of the outcomes, PCSS and CHS are extremely proud of him,” said CHS Principal Max Petett.  

If you speak with Beaty he will share that his plans for the future is to become an Aerospace engineer. He has already been offered a full ride to the University of Alabama and tuition coverage at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He has also applied at MIT, CU Boulder, and Purdue and is waiting to hear from those institutions. 

Beaty leaves words of encouragement to students who are coming into high school or are in high school with big dreams like him. 

"'There are so many things that I would like to have heard when I stepped through the CHS doors for the first time. The first is very simple; everyone must learn to balance their lives and school work healthily. It helps to find something enjoyable at school while also involving yourself in outside activities. Personally, cross country allowed me to destress from my workload and gain many close friends. Also, remember to take classes you’re comfortable with taking. Challenge yourself but know your comfort zone, and balance out the stress with some extracurriculars that you're interested in. I knew that I wanted to be an aerospace engineer after college, but I had to explore opportunities during high school to understand how to get there. Go explore those opportunities whenever they’re offered to you,” said Beaty.