Thirteen FWCD Students Earn College Board National Recognition Program Honors

Thirteen FWCD students have earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs. Rachel Nelson ’23 was awarded the National African American Recognition Award; Alexis Espino ’23, Andrea Andrade ’24, Brock Bethea ’23, Andy Booth ’24, Emma Hargrove ’23, Eti Lois ’23, Isa Rios ’23, Ricky Espino ’24, Tucker Grubbs ’24 and Zachary Willars ’24 were awarded the National Hispanic Recognition Award; and Claire Dodson ’24 and Jackson Grace ’23 were awarded the National Indigenous Recognition Award.

Pictured are (front row) Isa Rios ’23, Andrea Andrade ’24, Rachel Nelson ’23, (second row) Emma Hargrove ’23, Claire Dodson ’24, Ricky Espino ’24, (third row) Alexis Espino ’23, Jackson Grace ’23 and Zachary Willars ’24. Not pictured: Andy Booth ’24, Brock Bethea ’23, Eti Lois ’23 and Tucker Grubbs ’24.

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 African American, Hispanic, Indigenous, and/or Rural/Small Town Recognition through College Board’s Student Search Service. 

“I am very happy for the recognition these students have received for their academic accomplishments,” said Head of Upper School Peggy Wakeland. “Additionally, they contribute to our school in many areas:  athletics, 4-H, visual and performing arts, service learning, and participation in international travel. These students represent themselves, their families, and our school in noteworthy ways.”

Head of School Eric Lombardi echoed Wakeland’s sentiments. “We are a school that believes in the importance of all three A’s, academics, arts and athletics. That said, the “A” for academics is the single most important; we like to say it is in a bigger font than the other two A’s,” Lombardi said. “Seeing the recognition for such impressive academic achievement of so many of our students, many of whom also show up on our stages and on our fields, makes us all proud.”

These juniors and seniors are among the 62,000 students from across the country to earn this honor by having a GPA of 3.5 or higher and excelling on the PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10, or earned a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP Exams; and are African American or Black, Hispanic American or Latinx, Indigenous, and/or attend school in a rural area or small town.