The Ladue School District is proud to celebrate Ladue Horton Watkins High School rising senior, Celina Zhou, who has been named a Coolidge Senator—a prestigious honor awarded to only 100 students nationwide each year.

The Coolidge Scholarship is a highly competitive, full-ride presidential scholarship that covers four years of undergraduate study, named after Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States. While only a handful of students are selected as Coolidge Scholars annually, the top 100 applicants are named Coolidge Senators, placing them among the country's most accomplished high school students.

This year, nearly 5,000 students applied for the Coolidge Scholarship. Celina’s achievement places her not only among the top 100 applicants, but also in an elite group of fewer than 40 female Senators nationwide. She is the first student from Ladue Horton Watkins High School and only the fourth student from Missouri ever to receive this recognition.

The Coolidge selection process emphasizes academic excellence as its primary criterion, with additional focus on a demonstrated interest in public policy, an appreciation for the values President Coolidge championed, and a record of humility and service.

As part of the honor, Celina attended an all-expenses-paid Senators Summit from July 29 to August 3 in Boston, Massachusetts, and Plymouth Notch, Vermont—the hometown of President Coolidge. There, she connected with other high-achieving students nationwide, learned about Coolidge’s life and leadership, and engaged in discussions on public service and civic values.

“I feel extremely honored and humbled to be selected among some of the highest-achieving students across the country,” Celina shared. “I truly enjoyed learning about President Coolidge and his world, and meeting such an inspiring group of fellow Coolidge Senators.”

The Ladue School District congratulates Celina on this incredible accomplishment and looks forward to seeing the impact she will continue to make in her senior year and beyond.