Princeton High School student named a Scholar of Distinction

The Princeton School District is proud to announce that Princeton High School (PHS) junior Cayden Granger has earned the honor of Scholar of Distinction.

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) created the Scholars of Distinction program to recognize academic and intellectual accomplishments by talented Minnesota students both in and out of school. Scholars of Distinction is a significant capstone project in an academic area of interest. It is completely self-directed.

Granger’s project, demonstrating excellence in the area of Cultural Studies, was entitled “The Sociological Impacts of the Japanese Education Model.”

“Sociology has always deeply interested me, as it is about seeing the big picture behind people’s actions. Actions are not just choices made by an individual but the culmination of a lifetime of societal influence,” Granger said. “It is my intention that, upon reading my findings, people will be compelled to question things that look good from the outside.”

Granger is an ambitious student, taking multiple AP and College in the Schools courses. He is an avid member of the PHS Music Program, participating in multiple bands, Tri-M, and Solo Ensemble Contests. He was selected for the U of M Music Honor Band and is also in the TRIO Program.

“We are extremely proud of Cayden’s commitment to academic and extracurricular excellence,” the Princeton School District said.

Granger has set his sights on a doctorate degree in percussion performance and envisions a future teaching in Japan. He recognizes that his research for the Scholars of Distinction project has provided him with a “foundational understanding of the culture that will make a difference my future work.”

Granger is one of 11 other Minnesota student to be selected. A virtual award ceremony was held on June 20 to recognize Granger and the other recipients with their awards.