MABLETON - Alexander Vollmer of Marietta, a senior at Pebblebrook High School Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts, loves music and dance. But he also shines in the classroom as well.

Vollmer, 18, was recently selected as one of the nation's 141 U.S. Presidential Scholars. He is one of four students in Georgia and the only one in Cobb, to receive the prestigious recognition. He is in the National Honor Society, is ranked in the top two academically in his class and has a current 4.17 grade point average.

"I think that I bring an interesting story to the table," said Vollmer of receiving the award. "Not only do I strive for excellence in the arts but I also work very hard at my academics, something that has been instilled in me since day one of kindergarten."

At Pebblebrook, Vollmer is a vocal major and was once a dance minor. He has performed in multiple musicals, the most recent of which was "Pirates of Penzance," in which he portrayed Frederic. He said his favorite song is "Serenade Italienne" by Ernest Chausson.

Vollmer attended the Georgia Governor's Honors Program for Vocal Music and has been selected four times for membership in the Georgia All-State Choruses. In the summer of 2008, he studied vocal performance at Boston University's Tanglewood Institute in Lenox, Mass.

"During his time as a student in the performing arts magnet program, Alex took on a rigorous schedule of rehearsals and performances that typically demanded 27 hours per week beyond the regular academic day," said Frank Timmerman, director of Pebblebrook's performance arts program.

"Even with such a demanding schedule, he was able to maintain his academic standing at the top of his class with a GPA of 4.173. Alex is the perfect example of everything I look for in a performing arts magnet student. He's remarkably talented, highly intelligent and supremely driven to succeed. He's every teacher's dream."

The U.S. Presidential Scholars program was created in 1964 to honor academic achievement. It was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts. Vollmer was one of 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars to be recognized specifically for accomplishments in the arts.

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars members, appointed by the president, selected the scholars based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.

The 2010 U.S. Presidential Scholars will be honored for their accomplishments June 19-22 in Washington, D.C.

Since 1983, each Presidential Scholar has invited his or her most inspiring and challenging teacher to travel with them to receive a Teacher Recognition Award from the U.S. Department of Education and participate in the recognition events. Vollmer selected George Case, Pebblebrook's director of choral and vocal music, to receive the teacher award.

"Mr. Case goes above and beyond what any teacher has ever done for me. He is an absolutely amazing person and I could not choose anyone better," said Vollmer.

Vollmer plans to pursue a degree in vocal performance at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He said his ultimate goal is to become an opera singer.

"Music gives me the chance to express what I cannot in my day-to-day life," Vollmer said. "It goes past words and straight to the heart."

A complete list of the 2010 U.S. Presidential Scholars is available at www.ed.gov/programs/psp/awards.html.