WAKEFIELD — Northeast Metro Tech senior Mandy Lin, a skilled graphic designer, student leader, and top student, is one of just 627 students nationwide to be selected as a semifinalist in the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
Lin, who lives in Wakefield, is a second-generation immigrant whose parents worked tirelessly to support her and her older sister after moving to the United States.
“I grew up understanding effort, gratitude, and responsibility. I learned how to keep my head down and not take up any space,” Lin wrote in a letter that accompanied her Presidential Scholar nomination. “Admittedly, during freshman and sophomore years, I was very shy, but junior year, I started putting myself out there and becoming more involved in school and community.”
Lin has maintained high honor roll grades throughout her time at Northeast Metro Tech, and her GPA is ranked third among the 339 students in the senior class, but her increased involvement junior year saw her become an exceptional student leader as well.
In her Design and Visual Communications work, Lin emerged as a student leader and was selected to be the Art Director of Studio 12, Northeast Metro Tech’s student-run design studio. Lin earned certifications in graphic design, advertising, branding, illustration, animation, web design, photography, video production, and used her skills to lead students in several major multi-disciplinary projects.
The most noteworthy community project involved collaborating with Pine Banks and Carpentry to create a full “Santa Village” experience, where Lin worked on character design and helped lead the artistic direction of the project. Other projects included creating rebrand campaign pitches for organizations like Boston Whiplash and Kelly Automotive Group.
Outside of class and shop, Lin is the president of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), vice president of the Newspaper Club, historian for the National Technical Honor Society, a member of the National Honor Society, a student mentor in the Peer Mentor Program, and a member of the National Text Less Live More Youth Engagement Board.
She has volunteered more than 50 hours to support Orientation Day, the Fall Festival, Boo Bags, Parent/Teacher Night, the Festival of Trees, Open Night, and the Northeast Metro Tech Food Drive.
Her awards include High Honor Roll, the Academic Excellence Award for the Science Department, the Academic Excellence Award for the History Department, the Knights of Shining Armor Award (for Academics), the Craftsmanship Award for Design and Visual, Student of the Trimester, and the Perfect Attendance Award — Lin has never missed a day of school in her entire Northeast Metro Tech career. She was also recognized as a 2026 North Shore Chamber of Commerce Honor Scholar.
Through SkillsUSA, Lin advanced to the state level for exemplary work in Graphic Communications.
She is also a recipient of a National Association of Secondary School Principals Student Service Grant, which she used to organize a “Paws for a Cause” community service project supporting the Protection of Animals in Wakefield Society (PAWS). The project involved coordinating a donation drive, student volunteers, and outreach efforts to support the local organization and animal welfare throughout the region.
“Mandy Lin is a student who has learned to balance responsibility with self-discovery, discipline with authenticity, and achievement with personal growth. Her journey is a testament to her resilience and maturity,” School Counselor Carly McCarthy wrote in a nomination letter.
“We are proud to see Mandy be recognized as the incredible student, leader, and designer that she has become at Northeast Metro Tech,” said Superintendent David DiBarri. “Mandy is dedicated, highly-skilled, and driven, while still remaining thoughtful and caring. She is an outstanding member of our school community and very deserving of all she achieves.”
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students, recognizing those who demonstrate outstanding academic success, leadership, and service. The program was established in 1964 by an executive order of President Lyndon B. Johnson, with the goal of recognizing and honoring some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.
Each year, around 3,000 students nationwide receive nominations. Up to 650 students are selected as semifinalists, who are evaluated by the Federal Commission on Presidential Scholars. Up to 161 Scholars will be selected, and receive the U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
To learn more about the U.S. Presidential Scholars program, click here.
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