HUNTINGTON BEACH : Edison Senior Is Presidential Scholar

Edison High School senior Kristin Gunnerson is among 141 high school seniors honored as presidential scholars, the highest national honor bestowed upon a graduating student.

“I knew that I was a finalist, and I was excited about that, but (Friday) I got this mailgram that said I had made it and I really got excited,” Gunnerson said.

The 17-year-old senior, whose parents are Earl and Elizabeth Gunnerson of Huntington Beach, achieved a 4.0 grade-point average. In addition, she had a score of 1,410 points on the Scholastic Aptitude Test, out of a possible 1,600 points.

The mailgram had a congratulatory note from President George Bush inviting her to the White House next month for a special ceremony.

Bush also praised Gunnerson for her “academic and personal achievement.” The students were selected on the basis of academic scholarship, leadership, character and commitment to high ideals.

They include a boy and girl from each state, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and American students living abroad as well as 15 students selected at-large.

Another 20 students are selected based on achievements in the creative or performing arts.

Gunnerson said she is a member of the school’s varsity track team, student government and drill team, and had been a member of numerous clubs. In addition, she is a volunteer at her church and at nearby Pacifica Community Hospital.

She plans to attend UCLA in the fall.

The students will visit Washington June 16-20 for the ceremony and receive $1,000 each from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, a private philanthropic organization in Morristown, N.J.