A group of 32 Spring ISD juniors and seniors, representing all five of the district’s high schools, have been named among this year’s National Recognition Program Scholars by the College Board – including National African American Recognition Program Scholars, National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars, and National Indigenous Recognition Program Scholars.

“We want to honor the hard work of these students through the College Board National Recognition Programs,” College Board Senior Vice President Tarlin Ray said in a media release announcing this year’s awards. “This program creates a way for colleges and scholarship programs to connect directly with underrepresented students who they are hoping to reach. We hope the award winners and their families celebrate this prestigious honor and it helps them plan for their big future.”

Students are evaluated for the award by the College Board based on eligibility criteria that include students’ GPAs, together with PSAT and AP exam scores. To be eligible for the national award, students must have a 3.5 GPA or higher, and identify as African American or Black, Hispanic or Latinx, Indigenous, or attend school in a rural area or small town. They must also meet one of the following requirements: Take the PSAT and score in the top 10% in the state, or earn a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP exams by their junior year.

The Spring ISD Board of Trustees recognized the students during its Nov. 10 meeting, with College and Career Readiness Coordinator Carlos Gonzalez on-hand to help introduce the students. During his remarks, Gonzalez explained that the College Board had recognized just 62,000 students nationwide through the program in 2022, putting recipients in a group of high-achieving scholars made up of just a tiny fraction of high school upperclassmen across the country.

Gonzalez also took the opportunity to thank the college counselors at all of the district’s high schools, as well as principals and others who had encouraged students to excel. That sentiment was echoed by Board President Justine Durant, who added her thanks to parents, and reiterated to the students how impressive their achievement was.

“I’m so proud of you guys!” Durant told the group.

In addition to honoring the students’ accomplishments, the program also helps create additional pathways to college. Students can include the award on college and scholarship applications, and colleges around the country use the list of College Board honorees to identify high-potential students from underrepresented groups and communities.

The Spring ISD students named College Board National Recognition Program Scholars for 2022 are listed below by their home campus.

Carl Wunsche Sr. High School

• Ugonna Chidi-Ubani – College Board National African American Recognition Program Scholar
• Matthew Flowers – College Board National African American Recognition Program Scholar and National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
• Dean Ford – College Board National African American Recognition Program Scholar
• Candida Herrera – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
• Jonathan Lazo – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
• Daniel Quilantan – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
• Thomas Saenz – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
• Alison Sanchez – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar

Dekaney High School

• Diego Chapela-Perez – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar

Spring Early College Academy

• Kristin Botley – College Board National African American Recognition Program Scholar and National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
• Darwin Candelario – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
• Devin Dugas – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
• Jessica Hernandez – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
• Mason Marquez – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
• Natalie Ortiz – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
• Sofia Ortiz – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
• Percy Palacios – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar and National Indigenous Recognition Program Scholar
• Burton Scott – College Board National African American Recognition Program Scholar
• Aniyah Shorter-Adams – College Board National African American Recognition Program Scholar
• Alaina Silva – College Board National African American Recognition Program Scholar
• Henry Tejada – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
• Moises Woods – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar

Spring High School

• Edgar Islas – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
• Aliyah Nora – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
• Diego Rosales – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
• Inari Solarie – College Board National African American Recognition Program Scholar
• Zaniah Wheeler – College Board National African American Recognition Program Scholar

Westfield High School

• R’Anna Donastorg – College Board National African American Recognition Program Scholar
• Michael Izulu – College Board National African American Recognition Program Scholar
• Valery Rojas – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
• Daniellah Torres – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
• Crystal Vazquez – College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar