Two Marion students recently earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs.
Coby Hayes and Jaise King, both students at Marion High School, were selected as recipients of the National African American Recognition Award (NAARA).
The NAARA recognition is part of a group of National Recognition Programs that provide 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.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate our students and recognize them for the great work they’ve been doing,” said James Scott, MHS principal. “We’re proud of their strong academic performance in the classroom and on College Board assessments. There’s so much that makes our students unique, and receiving this honor reinforces this as an asset for their future.”
To be eligible for the awards, students must 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. Eligible students are invited to apply during their sophomore or junior year and are awarded at the beginning of the next school year. Students receive their awards in time to include them on their college and scholarship applications.
“It’s becoming increasingly hard for students to be ‘seen’ during the college recruitment process,” said Tarlin Ray, senior vice president of BigFuture at College Board. “We’re exceptionally proud of the National Recognition Programs for celebrating students who are at times overlooked but have shown their outstanding academic abilities. This is a benefit not only for students but also for colleges and universities committed to recruiting diverse and talented students.”
The Marion School District is an innovative and growing district committed to helping every student find their unique path to success in school and in life. With more than 150 years of experience serving families in Crittenden County, the district offers a high school, a junior high, a seventh grade school, and three award-winning magnet elementaries. For enrollment information, including information on school choice, visit https://www.msd3.org/ or call 870-739-5100.