Three seniors from Lawrence’s two public high schools are being invited by federal officials to compete for places in a prestigious educational program.

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars and the U.S. Department of Education have invited the three students — Victoria Gilman and Rosemarie Murray, from Free State High School; and Yuan Xu, from Lawrence High School — to apply as candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

The program, established in 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson, recognizes distinguished graduating seniors.

Gilman, Murray and Xu are entering at the first stage: About 3,000 students are invited to apply, based on their exceptional scores on the SAT and ACT; candidates then submit essays, self-assessments, secondary school reports and transcripts.

In April, 500 students will be picked as semifinalists.

In May, up to 121 Academic Scholars, honoring broad academic achievement, and up to 20 Arts Scholars, recognizing academic and artistic scholarship in the visual arts, performing arts or creative writing, will be selected.