By By ERIN VER BERKMOES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - He's in the top 100.
Brandywine High School junior Matt Wieger,17, is part of a group of 100 Honeywell employees' children who have been named to the inaugural class of Honeywell Scholars at Presidential Classroom in Washington D.C., which will take place Feb. 5-12. He is the son of George and Kathy Wieger of Niles.
Wieger, along with students from 27 states and 15 countries, were given this honor based on his record of academic achievements and community service.
The scholarship will give him an opportunity to gain some unprecedented access to the leaders who shape America's public policy.
During the week long program, the Honeywell Scholars will interact with Washington insiders, including members of Congress, presidential appointees, senior military officials, top business leaders and journalists.
The students also will have the opportunity to observe the U.S. Congress in action, visit their congressional offices and debate current issues with peers from the United States and abroad.
Wieger said he has always been interested in politics and law. While in Washington he will attend a class on law system here in the U.S. as well as an engineering class.
Along with being an A student and being on Student Council, Wieger is also an athlete. He plays soccer, basketball, and is also a shortstop for the Brandywine baseball team.
He attends St. Mary's Catholic Church.
Presidential Classroom began to prepare young leaders for responsible citizenship and provide outstanding high school students the chance to explore the political process firsthand in 1968.
The program is aimed at high school juniors and seniors with a minimum 3.0 grade point average. The program offers seven unique and challenging leadership development experiences, focusing on key issues such as business, media, science and technology, law and justice, national security and international relations.