Upper Arlington High School senior Nate West has been selected as a 2009 Presidential Scholar, according to a press release from U.S. Department of Education.

West, a musician who plays the double bass, was recently featured in the March/April issue of Upper Arlington Magazine. He is one of 141 high school seniors in the country to demonstrate "exceptional academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship and service at school and in their community," says U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

The 2009 winners were selected by a 29-member Commission on Presidential Scholars appointed by President Barack Obama. They will be recognized June 20-24 in Washington, D.C.

West was selected to participate in the 2009 National Foundation for the Advancement inthe Arts youngARTS week in January, where he was nominated as a Presidential Scholar in the Arts. He was also awarded first prize in the 2009 ASTA National Solo Competition. Last year he performed on NPR’s “From the Top” radio show and served as principal bassist of the ASTA National High School Honors Orchestra. West will attend The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia in the fall.

For more information on the 2009 Presidential Scholars or to see a complete list of winners, visit www.ed.gov/programs/psp/awards.html.