Local Huntsville High Students Honored in National Academic Programs
HUNTSVILLE, Texas — In a significant academic achievement, a group of Huntsville High School students were awarded prestigious honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs earlier this fall, spotlighting exceptional performance among underrepresented students.
The accolades, which recognize top-performing students across several categories, including National African American, Hispanic, Indigenous, and Rural/Small Town Recognition, have been bestowed upon eight Huntsville students:
- Benjamin Hendricks, NRSTA (National Rural and Small Town Award)
- Elizabeth Hanson, NRSTA
- Halee Vaughn, NRSTA
- Jovany Flores, NHRA (National Hispanic Recognition Award)
- Lourena Ramos, NHRA
- Luke Austin, NIA (National Indigenous Award)
- Mia O’Donnell, NRSTA
- Paetton Shook, NRSTA
These academic honors not only spotlight the individual students but also enhance their college and scholarship applications, providing them with valuable recognition during the critical admissions process.
Principal Paul M. Trevino expressed his pride in the students’ accomplishments: “We’re thrilled that our students have earned this recognition. They have demonstrated exceptional achievement in their classrooms and on College Board assessments.”
To be eligible for these honors, students must possess a GPA of 3.5 or higher and have excelled on standardized tests such as the PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10, or have scored 3 or higher on at least two AP Exams. The awards target students who are African American, Hispanic American, Indigenous, or attending schools in rural areas or small towns.
College Board’s BigFuture program, according to senior vice president Tarlin Ray, aims to connect these accomplished students with colleges and scholarship programs that are actively seeking to diversify their student bodies. “This program creates a way for colleges and scholarship programs to connect directly with underrepresented students who they are hoping to reach,” Ray explained.
The honored students are invited to apply during their sophomore or junior years and are recognized at the beginning of the following school year. This timing ensures that the accolades can be included in their applications to colleges and scholarship programs, giving them a competitive edge.
“We hope the award winners and their families celebrate this prestigious honor and it helps them plan for their big future,” Ray added.
The acknowledgment from the College Board serves as a beacon of educational attainment and represents a positive step towards inclusivity and diversity in higher education admissions.
Related Links:
BigFuture College Board National Recognition Programs
