TEMPLE, Texas — Thirteen Temple Independent School District students have earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs. These National Recognition Programs grant underrepresented students with academic honors that can be included on college and scholarship applications and connect students with universities across the country, helping them meaningfully connect to colleges and stand out during the admissions process.
Colleges and scholarship programs identify students awarded National First-Generation, African American, Hispanic, Indigenous and/or Rural/Small Town Recognition through College Board’s Student Search Service. The Temple High School students recognized and the honors they received are: Greggory Abney, Jr. – Indigenous, Jayden Bihl – First Generation and Hispanic, Shaunice Dean – African American, Chloe Green – African American, Serenity Hicks – First Generation, Brithney Ortiz – First Generation and Hispanic, Megan Ortiz – First Generation and Hispanic, Aracely Placencia – Hispanic, Alajzha President – African American and Hispanic, Aanvi Rama – First Generation, Avrie Thomas – First Generation, Arianna Williams – African American, and Madelyn Yoo – African American.
“It is exciting to know that so many of our students earned this recognition,” said Dr. Renota Rogers, Chief Academic Officer for Temple ISD. “These students strive for academic excellence and put a great deal of time and effort into their studies. Many of them are also involved in extracurricular activities such as fine arts, athletics, and community organizations. They are so deserving of this recognition.”
“What an outstanding recognition!” added Dr. Jason Mayo, principal of Temple High School. “To have 13 wonderful students recognized for their academic achievements is a testament to their hard work and dedication as learners. This recognition also shines a light on the academic environment at Temple High School where all students have an opportunity to accomplish their career and academic goals. I look forward to seeing the impact they make on society in the near future.”
Eligible students must meet the following criteria to qualify: maintain a GPA of 3.3 or higher, PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 assessment scores that are in the top 10 % of assessment takers in each state, or earned a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP Exams; and identify as a first-generation college student, African American/Black, Hispanic American/Latino, Indigenous/Native American, and/or attend school in a rural area or small town.
Eligible students will be invited to apply during their sophomore or junior year and will be awarded at the beginning of the next school year. Students will receive their awards in time to include them on their college and scholarship applications.
“This year, the National Recognition Programs are recognizing more students than ever so that the outstanding academic abilities of more than 90,000 deserving students are not overlooked as they plan for their future,” said Amy Reitz, senior vice president of BigFuture at College Board. “We’re proud to support colleges and universities that are committed to supporting all students, and our program offers one way they can strengthen their recruitment efforts to students that will thrive on their campus.”
In addition to their honors from College Board, the students will also be recognized at the Temple ISD school board meeting on September 9th.