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NEWPORT — A Newport High School senior has advanced to the semifinalist round of a national Department of Education program. Cooper Ericksen is currently named a U.S. Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education semifinalist. He was a rare dual candidate for the U.S Presidential Scholars Program, recognized for excellence in CTE as well as overall academic achievement, according to a Newport School District news release. “[Cooper’s] achievements, leadership, and character represent the very best of our CTE programs and our Grizzly Family,” CTE director Saraya Pierce wrote in the news release.
Nationwide, the class of 2026 consists of nearly 3.6 million seniors. From that, over 6,500 were selected as candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, including Ericksen and two other NHS seniors, Alyssa Dibble and Grace Newlun.
Ericksen
Ericksen is one of only 630 semifinalists in the nation. Furthermore, he is one of just 60 semifinalists specifically for CTE.
To be a CTE candidate, a student must master four pillars: academic rigor, technical competence, employability skills and ingenuity.
“Throughout his high school career, Cooper has exemplified these pillars,” Pierce wrote.
Ericksen was named the 2025 Future Business Leaders of America National Champion in Computer Applications last summer. In addition to attending the 2025 FBLA National Conference in Anaheim, California, Ericksen has traveled to Technology Student Association Nationals, competing in virtual reality visualization.
At NSD, Ericksen has served on the CTE Advisory Committees for STEM and general CTE, worked with the information technology department on multiple projects and volunteered after school at the Grizzly Discovery Center.
Next, the Commission on Presidential Scholars will make a final selection of up to 20 CTE Presidential Scholars.
“Regardless of that final count, Cooper has already proven himself to be among the top tier of students in the United States,” Pierce wrote.
