Jackson Free Press

Mississippi School of Math and Science senior Jason Necaise loves physics. So when he hopefully goes to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or California Institute of Technology, he says he'll most likely continue to study the subject and go on to do more research in it post-grad, too.

Necaise has lofty goals and a resume of solid accomplishments onto which he can rely to help him achieve them. The 17-year-old Ridgeland native is one of a handful of students selected as candidates for the distinction of U.S. Presidential Scholar for 2016. The nomination is an invitation to apply for candidacy handed down specifically from the White House to high-achieving high-school students around the country.

"It's something I wasn't really thinking about this year, but when I got the news, it definitely put a smile on my face," Necaise told the Jackson Free Press.

Necaise is a participant in Physics Olympiad, Mu Alpha Theta and Science Bowl at MSMS. In addition to being nominated to be a U.S. Presidential Scholar, he is a National Merit Semifinalist and MSMS's 2015-2016 Star Student.