Castro-Balbi Named U.S. Presidential Scholars Candidate

Fort Worth Country Day student Joaquin Castro-Balbi ’22 has been named one of more than 5,000 candidates in the 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program and one of two from Fort Worth high schools. The candidates were selected from nearly 3.6 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in 2022. Castro-Balbi is FWCD’s 10th U.S. Presidential Scholars Program candidate since 2000. Last year, FWCD’s Henry Lynn ’21 was named a U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidate.

Kristin Larsen, Director of College Counseling, shared, “It is beyond exciting for FWCD to have two, back-to-back U.S. Presidential Scholars Program candidates. While this repeat timing is definitely an impressive feat, it also affirms FWCD’s standing as a school that educates the nation’s most distinguished high school seniors.”

An FWCD Original, Castro-Balbi is a well-rounded, 3A’s student committed to excellence in every aspect of his school experience and beyond. His passion for learning is evident. Castro-Balbi has always pursued the most rigorous classes and, by graduation, will have completed a total of five Honors and 10 Advanced Placement courses. Castro-Balbi’s favorite subjects include math and science. Last year, he exhausted FWCD’s mathematics curriculum and has since filled his senior-year schedule with Linear Algebra, offered through the Malone Schools Online Network, of which FWCD is a founding school. Combining his interest in electrical engineering and computer architecture, Castro-Balbi is continuing his Senior Capstone Project that allows him to explore how computers may be used in launching rockets. He is a National Merit Semifinalist and was honored as a College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar. 

In both the arts and athletics, Castro-Balbi is accomplished. He has played the violin for 12 years and was part of the FWCD Orchestra program in Middle School. Since his freshman year, Castro-Balbi has served as Concertmaster for the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra and a principal of the first violins section. He also joins his peers in the Upper School Orchestra when his schedule allows. Castro-Balbi has excelled in both cross country and track for four years. As a freshman and sophomore, he was a member of the Falcon swim team. 

Castro-Balbi has been influential as a leader in the FWCD Bass Upper School. Serving on the Student Council in grades 9-11, Castro-Balbi was voted Student Body President by his peers. In this role, he oversees Upper School morning announcements daily and works with the School’s administration to continue to enhance the community. He is well-liked by his peers and shares his sense of humor with his jokes during announcements. 

“I have known Joaquin for seven years. He impressed me from the first meeting as an earnest, engaged, talented and thoughtful young man,” said Head of School Eric Lombardi. “One of the gifts of being an educator is getting to see students mature. While remaining remarkably humble, Joaquin has taken advantage of his gifts and of our school and city to develop into a young man of whom we can all be so proud.”

Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected based on superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character, and involvement in community and school activities. 

About the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

Established in 1964 by executive order of the President, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognizes the nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments in academic success, leadership, and service to school and community. It was expanded in 1979 to recognize students demonstrating exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, the program expanded once again to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical fields. Annually, up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen from among that year’s senior class of candidates, representing excellence and dedication and the promise of greatness in America’s youth. If circumstances permit, all Scholars are invited to Washington, D.C., in June for the National Recognition Program, featuring various events and enrichment activities and culminating in the presentation of the Presidential Scholars Medallion during a White House-sponsored ceremony.

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