15 Underrepresented Maplewood Students Recognized For GPA, PSAT Scores

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Fifteen students at Columbia High School in Maplewood were awarded with academic honors from College Board National Recognition Programs, the South Orange-Maplewood district announced this week.

These National Recognition Programs grant underrepresented students with achievements that can be included on college and scholarship applications and help them stand out during the college admissions process.

Students who may be eligible have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and have excelled on the PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10, or earned a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP Exams. They must also be African American or Black, Hispanic American or Latinx, Indigenous, and/or attend school in a rural area or small town.

Eligible students will be invited to apply during their sophomore or junior year to be honored at the beginning of the next school year.

Here Are The Awardees:

National African American Recognition Award:

1. Alexis Halm-Owoo, National African American Recognition Award
2. Connor McBride, National African American Recognition Award
3. Cyrus Merriweather, National African American Recognition Award
4. Hudson Tyler, National African American Recognition Award
5. Jeslyn Ero, National African American Recognition Award
6. Makayla Ojentis, National African American Recognition Award
7. Nicholas Franklin, National African American Recognition Award
8. Okherra Prosper, National African American Recognition Award
9. Sophia Franklin, National African American Recognition Award
10. Tristan Bernard, National African American Recognition Award
11. Valentina Ravix, National African American Recognition Award
12. Zachary Taylor, National African American Recognition Award

National Hispanic Recognition Award:

1. Arturo Gigante, National Hispanic Recognition Award
2. Sadie Munoz, National Hispanic Recognition Award
3. Zoila Mills, National Hispanic Recognition Award

“We’re thrilled that our students have earned this recognition. We are very proud of them for their achievements in their classrooms and on College Board assessments,” said CHS Principal Frank Sanchez.

“We want to honor the hard work of these students through the College Board National Recognition Programs. This program creates a way for colleges and scholarship programs to connect directly with underrepresented students who they are hoping to reach,” said Tarlin Ray, College Board senior vice president of BigFuture.

The School District of South Orange and Maplewood serves more than 7,200 students in 10 schools, including one early-childhood center, six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school.

More than 90 percent of Columbia High School graduates plan to attend college each year, the district said.