Alumnus Daniel Mann Named U.S. Presidential Scholar

Selected by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, Daniel Mann ’26 has been named a U.S. Presidential Scholar – one of only 161 students nationwide chosen from nearly four million graduating seniors, and the first in Thetford Academy history.

Established by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, the Presidential Scholars program recognizes exceptional achievement in scholarship, leadership, and service amongst high school students.

At Thetford Academy, Daniel consistently demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and community engagement. He served as class president and led the student council’s efforts to initiate a student-trustee program. As captain of the debate team, he excelled in competition and co-founded the Upper Valley Speech and Debate Camp. As a three-season athlete and senior captain, he represented Thetford Academy in soccer as well as winter and spring track and field, contributing to several championships and state records.

Beyond campus, Daniel completed dual-enrollment coursework at Dartmouth College during his senior year, earning two academic citations for meritorious performance. Last summer, he served in the office of U.S. Representative Adelita Grijalva, managing bilingual constituent casework along the U.S.-Mexico border and collaborating on a bicameral immigration bill with U.S. Senator Alex Padilla’s office. Daniel closed his high school career as commencement speaker, drawing on his Tucson upbringing to offer a reflection on borders and new beginnings.

A few of his teachers shared their reflections on Daniel’s time as a student at TA. “Daniel had always been a clear stand-out scholar since seventh grade, but what caused him to shine brightly in my view is his character, which colors his approach to learning and being part of a learning community as a natural leader,” said Daniel’s senior advisor and art teacher Karyn Neubauer. His Spanish teacher and sophomore advisor, Elizabeth Dowe, echoed this sentiment and appreciated “his commitment to making the world a better place for others, time and time again.” And Counselor Mark Pichette concurred: “Daniel is a deep thinker who considers how his learning fits into the world outside the classroom and has a genuine desire to impact that world.”

Each Presidential Scholar is invited to nominate an educator who has profoundly influenced their path for recognition through the U.S. Department of Education’s Distinguished Teacher Award. Daniel selected Ms. Elizabeth Dowe. “A great educator leaves a lasting legacy,” Daniel wrote. “Ms. Dowe shaped not only how I approached Spanish, but, as my advisor, how I came to understand my own capacities as a student and my responsibilities to the communities of which I am a part. I owe a great deal to her guidance, and I cannot imagine a more deserving recipient of this recognition.”

Thetford Academy proudly celebrates Daniel’s achievement as he continues his education at Dartmouth College.