A student at Mississippi School of the Arts has been named a 2009 presidential scholar in the arts.

Annie M. Wentzell of Ocean Springs is a senior at the residential high school in Brookhaven.

Wentzell chose Kimberly Este of Summit as her most influential teacher. Este teaches English and social studies at the School of the Arts.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on Monday announced 141 high school seniors as presidential scholars. The students will be honored in Washington in June.

A commission appointed by the president selected the scholars based on academic success and artistic excellence. The students also had to perform community service and to demonstrate leadership and a commitment to high ideals.