Five students at San Tan Valley’s Poston Butte High School in the Florence Unified School District have earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Program in a variety of categories.

The program celebrates the hard work of thousands of high school students nationwide.

For the first time, the academic honors recognize first-generation students, in addition to 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, according to a press release from FUSD.

The five students being recognized are:           

• Graeson Herman – 11^th grade U.S. history
• Brayden Robinson – 11^th grade top 10% in the state of Arizona
• Ryan Ray – 12^th grade chemistry, computer science principles, English language and composition, U.S. history
• Aylin Rodriguez-Cardenas – 12^th grade scholar English language, Spanish language, U.S. history
• Jason Williams – 12^th grade scholar chemistry, English language and composition, U.S. history

Additionally, Williams and Rodriguez-Cardenas are both 2024 AP Scholars, having earned passing scores in three advanced placement tests.

“All of us at Florence Unified are incredibly proud of our five outstanding students from Poston Butte High School who have been awarded academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Program. This recognition is a testament to their hard work, dedication and academic excellence,” FUSD Superintendent Chris Knutsen stated in the release. “These students have not only excelled in their studies but have also set a shining example for their peers. Their achievements reflect the high standards of education and the supportive community at Poston Butte.”

Eligible students must meet the following criteria to qualify for the honor:

• Earn a GPA of B+ 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 two 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.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate with 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,” Poston Butte High School Principal Eddie Lopez stated in the release. “There’s so much that makes our students unique, and this honor reinforces their individuality and achievements as assets for their future.”

The College Board is a nonprofit member organization that reaches more than 7 million students a year, helping them navigate from high school to college, according to the organization's website.