Text Title Students Awarded Academic Honors from College Board National Recognition Program, two group photos of students with their Principals

Program recognizes over 90,000 high-performing students to help open opportunities for their future

This year, students at Culpeper County High School (CCHS) and Eastern View HIgh School (EVHS) earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs. The programs celebrate the hard work of thousands of high school students nationwide to help them showcase their strong academic performance. 

In 2024, the program expanded to include a fifth award for first-generation college students. Over 35,000 students nationwide received the inaugural National First-Generation Recognition Program Award. The other award areas are rural and small town, Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic/or Latino students. The program opens college access for more students because many institutions use the awards for their recruitment efforts. 

Awardees at CCHS include: 

  • Katherine Callejas-Orellana First Generation, Hispanic

  • Emma Carson,  Rural and small town

  • Allison Csontos, First Generation

  • Matthew Ezrre, First Generation, Hispanic, Rural and small town

  • Graham Hadlock, Rural and small town

  • Emmanuel Hernandez, Hispanic

  • Nathan Langham,  Rural and small town

  • Brooklyn Mullins, First Generation

  • Elizabeth, Wynkoop, Rural and small town

 Awardees at EVHS include: 

  • Makail Apperson First Generation

  • Caroline Bruner Rural and small town

  • Makayla Hall African American

  • Charisma Kerns First Generation

  • Riannon Lacy Rural and small town

  • Peter Nenyuk Rural and small town

  • Christian Quaintance Rural and small town

  • Abigail Randall First Generation

Eligible students must meet the following criteria to qualify:

  • Earn a GPA of B+ (equal to at least 3.3 or 87%-89%) or higher.

  • PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 assessment scores that are within the top 10% of assessment takers in each state for each award program or earned a score of 3 or higher on 2 or more AP Exams by the end of 10th grade.

  • Attend school in a rural area or small town, or identify as African American/Black, Hispanic American/Latino, Indigenous/Native American, or a first-generation college student

Culpeper County Public Schools is thrilled to celebrate our students and recognize them for the great work they’ve been doing. We’re proud of their strong academic performance in the classroom and on College Board assessments like the PSAT/NMSQT®, PSAT™ 10, and AP® Exams.   

 Every year, students can verify their eligibility on BigFuture® during their sophomore or junior year. At the start of the next school year, students receive their awards for their communities to celebrate them and colleges to recruit them as they head back to school for their junior or senior year. Thousands of nonprofit colleges and organizations using College Board’s Student Search Service™ can connect with awardees during the recruitment process to share more about their postsecondary programs.

 “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.”