article by tira khan, _the south end news_, 2 jun 94

"Student Makes The president's Guest List: As a Presidential Scholar,
 Brad Johnson will get to shake Clinton's hand"

Like many Americans, Greenwich Park resident Brad Johnson plans to visit
Washington, DC, this summer.  Unlike most others, his trip will include
a handshake with the President.

Chosen by a White House commission from a pool of 2.5 million students,
Johnson is among 141 graduating high school seniors selected as
U.S. Presidential Scholars.  The 17-year-old is one of two students
from Massachusetts invited to The Capitol, June 28 through July 3 to
attend Presidential Scholars national Recognition Week.

"I didn't really expect it," admitted the Boston Latin graduate who
scored 1560 on his Scholastic Aptitude Test (760 verbal and 800 math).
"It's like winning an Oscar.  You write up speeches, but you don't really
expect to win."

The month-long selection process first narrowed the candidates to 2,600
by college aptitude tests, he said.  Then students submitted essays,
and later filled out full applications.  One girl and one boy from each
state were chosen, Johnson continued, plus 20 people in the arts and
a handful of other Americans chosen from across the country and abroad.

The scholars itinerary includes a reception at The Hard Rock Cafe, dinners,
panel discussions, something called "career shadow day" and, of course, a
visit to The White House.  Students will stay at Georgetown University.

The Scholars `represent vitality, talent and determination on which
our country has always depended,' wrote President Bill Clinton, in a
letter to the students.

When prodded, Johnson said his urban upbringing, his essay-writing skills
and his variety of interests may have given him an edge.  He said he has
taken advantage of the cultural opportunities Boston has to offer such
as the theater and the symphony.  He has also participated in programs
for high schools students at local colleges and universities -- something
he said me may not have done had he grown up in the suburbs.

In addition, he admits he's a `pretty good essay writer.'  One of the
questions on the Presidential Scholar application asked him to write
a conversation he would have with a famous American.  He chose science
fiction writer Isaac Asimov.

During school, Johnson was also a member of the state math team and school
swin team.  He said he plays tennis, squash and the piano, and enjoys
origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, and reading science fiction.

"I like doing origami, even though it doesn't get enough respect," he said,
adding the art form relates to math.  He pulls out boxes full of origami
in his room, which is cluttered with disheveled books, plants, Little
League awards, stuffed animals, robots that transform into cars and
airplanes hanging by strings from his loft.

One at a time he picks up several of the paper objects.  This is a
dodecahedron, which has 12 sides; this, an icosahedron, which is spherical, 
he explained.

The icosahedrons "get crumpled pretty easily," he added.

Yet when pressed, the soon-to-be freshman at Amherst College said he
prefers science to math.  Since he enjoys learning, he said he works hard
at all of his school subjects.

"Education comes relatively easy to me," he said.  "I really can have
fun learning, even if it's something I have to do."

When asked how his classmates reacted to his new status as Presdential
Scholar, Johnson had difficulty answering.  "It's not something that
I've gone around announcing to everybody," he said.  He sees it as 
a reward for working hard, he added.

"I am excited to ge to go to The White House and meet The President.
I think it's a good way to spend my birthday."

Johnson's father, Douglass, said he was "surprised and happy" to hear
his son had been named a scholar and called it a "tribute" to the
Boston Public School System.

"It's really possible to get a first-rate education in the Boston
Public School system," he said.

Now, Douglass is hoping for good weather on July 1, the date the
students visit The White House.  If the weather is nice, students
can bring two guests to meet Clinton, Douglass explained.  But if not,
the ceremony will be held indoors without guests -- and without
Douglass and his wife, Betsy.
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