TEMPLE, Texas — Twenty-seven Temple Independent School District students have combined to earn a total of 38 academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs. These National Recognition Programs grant 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.
In 2025, the program offered three awards to students of all backgrounds and across schools nationwide: First-Generation Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award, and for the first time, the School Recognition Award, to honor top-performing students at every high school, including lesser-known schools.
The 27 Temple High School honorees combined for a total of 38 First-Generation and School Recognition awards this year. The Temple High School students recognized and the honors they received are: Oliver Allen – School Recognition, Kilyn Archie – First-Generation, John Averill – School Recognition, Jack Carr – School Recognition, Victoria Carrizales – First-Generation and School Recognition, Andres Gomez – First-Generation and School Recognition, Trey Goynes – First-Generation and School Recognition, Seth Greenwood – First-Generation and School Recognition, Aryan Guleria – School Recognition, Jack Hurkman – School Recognition, Kevin Jie – School Recognition, Steven Jones – School Recognition, Alfonso Lena Ordaz – First-Generation and School Recognition, Semaj Manning – First-Generation and School Recognition, Isabel Moerbe – First-Generation and School Recognition, Kgosigadi Motswenyane – School Recognition, Brithney Ortiz – School Recognition, Mariah Proctor – School Recognition, Aneri Rama – First-Generation and School Recognition, Frederico Ramos – First-Generation and School Recognition, Aaron Robles Uribe – First-Generation and School Recognition, Marissa Rutkowski – School Recognition, Adayja Sanders – School Recognition, Garrett Seholm – School Recognition, Lilah Swanson – School Recognition, Shaylin White – First-Generation and School Recognition, and Madelyn Yoo – School Recognition.
“It is always exciting when our students’ academic achievements are recognized, especially by national organizations like College Board,” said Dr. Renota Rogers, Chief Academic Officer for Temple ISD. “We are proud of these students. They represent the best of our district and community.”
“I am extremely proud of our students for this academic accomplishment. A lot of hard work and dedication was put in to achieve this honor,” added Dr. Jason Mayo, principal of Temple High School. “I also want to acknowledge all of the staff members who have poured into our students and assisted them in achieving their goals. This is a testament to the academic environment established at Temple High School where all students can be successful. Well done, Wildcats!”
Students verify their eligibility during their sophomore or junior year by meeting the following criteria: take the PSAT/NMSQT (10th, 11th), PSAT 10 (10th), and/or AP Exams (by the end of 10th), maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher, be one of the top 10 % of test takers in their high school, among first-generation college students in their state, or earn a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP Exams in the 8th, 9th, and/or 10th grade.
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.
“We are deeply committed to clearing a path for each and every student to take ownership of their future. We are excited that this program recognizes achievements of students across the country,” said Amy Reitz, senior vice president of BigFuture at College Board. “With the highest participation in the program’s history this year, we are proud to support these students on their future paths.”
In addition to their honors from College Board, the students were also recognized at the Temple ISD school board meeting on December 8th.