Berkeley County School District is excited to recognize its four Presidential Scholar nominees!
Established in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program honors high school seniors for exceptional achievement. Since its inception, more than 8,600 students have been recognized. While early selections focused on SAT/ACT scores, the program now includes nominations for academic excellence, Career and Technical Education (CTE) and, new this year, visual and performing arts.
School districts submit nominations for state-level consideration; the state then selects candidates for national-level recognition.
BCSD would like to celebrate this year’s nominees for all their hard work during their high school careers. Congratulations to the following students:
Academic Nominee: Jace Matthew Dye – Berkeley High
Jace has distinguished himself over the past four years through exceptional academic achievement, leadership and service to his school and community. A top-ranked student in his graduating class, Jace has demonstrated academic excellence while maintaining an impressive slate of extracurricular commitments. He is a member of the Varsity Tennis Team and Mock Trial Team, serves as an officer in the National Honor Society, and is the president of the Beta Club. Jace is widely recognized for his strong work ethic and his ability to balance rigorous coursework with leadership responsibilities. Known for consistently exceeding expectations and approaching every task with dedication and integrity, Jace Dye stands among the most accomplished students at Berkeley High.
Academic Nominee: Olivia May Gandolfo – Timberland High
Olivia ranks in the top one percent of her graduating class, has maintained an impressive cumulative GPA, and earned A Honor Roll distinction throughout all four years of high school. Her academic performance places her among the highest-achieving students nationally. A prolific writer and creative scholar, Olivia is recognized for her deep intellectual curiosity and thoughtful engagement with learning. She is a four-year member of the Art Club, a recognized Advanced Artist, and a dedicated collaborator in the Creative Writing Club throughout high school. Olivia’s nomination reflects her academic excellence, artistic achievement and resilience.
CTE Nominee: Susan Olivia Boyere – Berkeley High
Susan Boyere is an exemplary CTE student who demonstrates academic excellence, leadership and the ability to apply technical skills in meaningful, real-world ways. Susan has earned industry certifications in Soft Skills and Adobe Visual Design and is known for her dedication to projects and her willingness to support classmates. A standout member of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), she applied her coding skills to develop impactful projects, including a transportation website for elderly citizens and a student job application portal. Her work earned first-place finishes at the state level, setting a high standard for excellence within the Computer Science department. Susan Boyere’s achievements reflect the very best of Career and Technical Education and make her a deserving nominee for his prestigious honor.
Arts Nominee: Jessica Lynee Pfeil – Stratford High
A dedicated cellist, Jessica has earned Superior and Excellent ratings at SC Solo and Ensemble competitions, received the South Carolina State Outstanding Performance Award in 2024 and 2025, and held the Charleston Symphony Youth Sinfonietta, Charleston Youth Orchestra, and Newberry College Honors Orchestra. Jessica has excelled academically and artistically, ranking in the top 12 percent of her class, mentoring younger musicians and leading ensembles with poise and dedication.