The Department of Education has named Gabriel Saiz, an ITA Madison student, a U.S. Presidential Scholar. He will travel to Washington, D.C. to receive a medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House in June.
In addition to excelling in academics, Saiz has established himself as a social justice advocate. A Ponca tribe member, Saiz led efforts to ban clothing that include athletics team
names, logos or mascots that reinforce stereotypes about Native Americans. You can learn more about Saiz in this Wisconsin State Journal article or about his assistance in the clothing ban in a Chicago Tribune article from 2015.
On June 4, Saiz will participate in the Information Technology Academy (ITA) graduation ceremony with his fellow students. Through ITA, high school students build knowledge and skills with hands-on training, academic support, mentoring, leadership development, community service and internship opportunities.