Twelve National Hispanic and African American Scholars plus AP Scholars were recognized during a small ceremony Monday in the foyer of Permian High School.
Advanced Placement Scholars were added because many of the Permian students received both.
The National Hispanic Scholars are Alison Blount; Angel Luna; Jacey Anglin; Joaquin Armendariz; Jonathan Martinez; Madelynn Ramirez; Noe Rodriguez; and Nydia Brito.
The National African American Scholar is Sara Aberra.
AP Scholars are Joaquin Armendariz; Kyler Fife; Swetha Kesavan; Angel Luna, with distinction; Jonathan Martinez; Dhrukumar Patel; and Madelynn Ramirez. Fife could not attend Monday’s event.
In August, the College Board awarded 32,000 students from across the country with academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs for excelling in the classrooms and on College board assessments.
More than 80,000 students from all 50 states were eligible to join the College board National Recognition Programs, which grant students with academic honors that can be included on college and scholarship applications.
Colleges and scholarship programs identify students awarded National African American, Hispanic, Indigenous and/or Rural/Small Town Recognition through College Board’s Student Search Service.
“… These programs help students from underrepresented backgrounds stand out during the college admissions process,” Permian Principal Delesa Styles said. “This will be a great thing for you to put on your resumes your college applications as you prepare for the next chapter.”
Styles said the students were eligible because they have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and they have excelled at the PSAT, the NMSQT or PSAT 10. 10 A lot has or earned a three or higher on two or more AP exams …,” Styles added.
Kesavan, Armendariz and Luna, all 17-year-old seniors, are all glad for the recognition.
“It’s an honor getting recognized by the College Board. It shows that our hard work is being noticed,” Luna said.
“I think it’s another thing to add to our college applications; another award. It’s a big deal,” Luna added.
Kesavan said she has already started on her college applications.
“… Being an AP Scholar has helped colleges notice me for more than just what I do in class, so it’s also … how well I’ve done on the test, as well,” Kesavan added.
Armendariz agreed that it feels good to be recognized for their our hard work “all of the tests that we have to sit through and … it feels good to be recognized.”
Kesavan said she has been looking into medical programs because she wants to become a doctor. She added that she is looking out of state and in state.
“… But I want to go into the science field, so most of the AP courses I’ve been taking are science,” Kesavan said.
Armendariz said he would like to stay in Texas, but go to one of the Tier I research facilities to also prepare for the medical field.
“I’m interested in pediatrics,” he said.
Luna would also like to state in state and he’s interested in pursuing engineering, so he would like to Texas A&M, for example.
“Specifically, I’m more interested in … biomedical engineering,” Luna added.
Styles said it’s an honor for Permian to be represented “on such a diverse level of talent.”
“Of course we’re super proud of our very own kiddos scoring well to be acknowledged,” Styles added.
College and Career Advisor Jennifer Perkins said this is the largest group of honorees PHS has had.
Perkins said it puts the students in the running for more scholarship opportunities.
“… It’s an acknowledgement on their transcripts and their resumes. … They typically get a … significant amount of scholarships out of this, out of being a Merit Scholar, so it’s exciting for them. And they have to put in the work, too. It wasn’t just given to them, as well, which is nice,” Perkins added.
