Five students from Poston Butte High School in San Tan Valley have received academic awards in various categories from the College Board National Recognition Program.
The program recognizes the hard work of thousands of high school students across the country.
For the first time, the academic awards recognize first-generation students in addition to rural and small-town students, black students, indigenous students and Hispanic students. The program opens college access to more students as many institutions use the awards in their recruitment efforts, according to a FUSD press release.
Poston Butte is part of the Florence Unified School District.
The five award-winning students are:
- Graeson Herman – 11th Class US History
- Bradley Cooper – 11th Top 10% in the state of Arizona
- Ryan Ray – 12th Chemistry, Fundamentals of Computer Science, English Language and Composition, US History
- Aylin Rodriguez-Cardenas – 12th Class Students English, Spanish, US History
- Jason Williams – 12th Chemistry, English Language and Composition, US History
In addition, Williams and Rodriguez-Cardenas are both 2024 AP Scholars for achieving passing scores on three Advanced Placement Tests.
“All of us at Florence Unified are incredibly proud of our five outstanding Poston Butte High School students who have received academic honors through the College Board National Recognition Program. This recognition is a testament to their hard work, dedication and academic excellence,” FUSD Superintendent Chris Knutsen said in the press release. “These students have not only excelled in their studies, but they are also shining examples to their peers. Their achievements reflect the high standards of education and supportive community at Poston Butte.”
To qualify for the award, eligible students must meet the following criteria:
- Achieve a GPA of B+ or higher.
- PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 exam scores that rank in the top 10% of test takers in each state for each honors program, or have achieved a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP exams by the end of 10th grade.
- Attend a school in a rural area or small town, or identify as African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Indigenous/Native American, or one of the first in your family to attend college.
“We are thrilled to celebrate with our students and recognize them for their great work. We are proud of their strong academic performance in the classroom and on College Board exams such as the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10 and AP exams,” said Eddie Lopez, principal of Poston Butte High School, in the press release. “There is so much that makes our students unique, and this award highlights their individuality and achievements as assets for their future.”
The College Board is a nonprofit membership organization that reaches more than 7 million students annually, helping them transition from high school to college, according to the organization’s website.
