Seven Madison County High School students were recently announced as recipients of the prestigious National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award. This award helps students who may have been overlooked prior be seen more predominantly for their academic achievements. The students at our school who were eligible for the award were announced on the morning announcements not too long ago. The requirements for this award for sophomores are as follows (via collegeboard.org):

• “Must have a 3.5 GPA or higher at the time you apply. Weighted and unweighted GPAs are considered.”
• Must have a permanent address in the United States, a U.S. territory or U.S. military base, or attend a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) school. U.S. citizenship is not required.
• Must identify as Black, African American, Latino, Hispanic, Indigenous, Native, or attend high school in a rural area or small town.
• Must have taken the PSAT/NMSQT in fall 2022 OR at least 2 distinct AP Exams in 8th or 9th grade.

While the first three items are required for sophomores and juniors, the fourth item is a bit different, and reads as follows:

• Must have taken the PSAT 10 in spring 2022 OR the PSAT/NMSQT in fall 2022 OR at least 2 distinct AP Exams in 8th, 9th, or 10th grade.

With all this, the following students at our school met the requirements and received the award:

• Charles Ingram 
• Emma Kellar
• George Parham
• Julianna Bost
• Katherine Sailors
• Logan Dover
• Samuel Cox

These are the students that inspire others to maintain academic prowess. These are the students that worked tirelessly to stay one step ahead and set themselves up for success. When asked what students aspiring to obtain this award should do, recipient George Parham said, “[They should] always push themselves and take classes that will be difficult, as that will provide them with better opportunities and lead to greater success.”

When recipient Katherine Sailors was asked how she felt about receiving the award, she said that, “I was surprised, proud, and honored. I got on to my email to RSVP for a quinceanera and I saw the email that said I met the requirements to apply for the National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award.”

Finally, Dr. Epps had some words of encouragement and acknowledgement for the recipients of the National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award:

“MCHS is extremely proud of the seven students awarded the National and Rural Small Town Award by the College Board!  Awards of this nature are important for our students.  The awards recognize and celebrate their impressive academic work.  The award helps set our students apart on their college applications. Colleges and scholarship organizations are seeking students that have earned these types of national recognitions.  Our students are dedicated to their academic achievement.  We are proud of our students and recognize them for their work but it is extraordinary when our students are recognized nationally.”