Glendale student honored with prestigious US Presidential Scholars award

GLENDALE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Nicolet High School senior Ethan Zentner was honored with the U.S Presidential Scholars award, an award only 161 students across the country get to claim.

Zentner has many accolades already under his belt but his most recent accomplishment has been the U.S Presidential Award. He's one of three students in the state to be recognized.

"The nominations for the award are based on standardized test scores. In my case that was the perfect score on the ACT," said Zentner.

To win, Zentner had to submit four essays, one of which was about his hexacopter he built with his own hands.

"It’s a multi router aircraft with six routers so it's just like the little drones you can buy for your nephew at Christmas except it's scaled up to a degree that a passenger can ride in it," said Zentner.

The 18-year-old will continue his education at MIT next fall with the hopes of studying aerospace engineering.

"He's curious, he's engaged and he's someone who is constantly looking to do more and finding more answers," said Joe Patek, principal at Nicolet High School.

Zentner said building and creating things is in his blood. His biggest supporters have been his family and friends.

Zentner's love for engineering won't be taking a break this summer. The scholar will compete at the International Science Fair in Texas next week and will work at an aero-engineering company over the summer.