Western Wayne High School students Eleanor Black, Evan Peirce, Jenna Kwiatkowski, and Kylie Merring have earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs. These National Recognition Programs grant 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. All of the Western Wayne students who were recognized received the National Rural and Small Town Award.
The Western Wayne students who achieved this honor are excited to be recognized and are pleased to be back in school experiencing their senior year and look forward to attending college next fall.
Eleanor Black plays soccer and is a member of FBLA, student council, and the literary magazine. She is also a member of NHS and NAHS. She intends to study English or design in college.
Fellow senior Evan Peirce is also a member of the student council and NHS. In addition, he is one of the drum majors for the Western Wayne Wildcat Marching Band. He also is a tutor through Khan Academy. He plans to join the Naval Academy upon graduation.
In addition, Jenna Kwiatkowski is highly involved in school. She is a member of FBLA, envirothon, science olympiad, and CATS Club, along with being a member of NHS. She aspires to study biochemistry in college.
Finally, Kylie Merring also has many accomplishments. She is a member of FBLA, FCCLA, and Spanish Club along with being a member of NHS. She hopes to attend Marywood University in the fall to study mathematics.
“We’re thrilled that our students have earned this recognition. We are very proud of them for their achievements in their classrooms and on College Board assessments,” said Paul Gregorski, Western Wayne High School principal. “These programs help students from underrepresented backgrounds stand out to colleges during admissions.”
Students who may be eligible 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; and are African American or Black, Hispanic American or Latinx, Indigenous, and/or attend school in a rural area or small town.
Eligible students will be invited to apply during their sophomore or junior year and will be awarded at the beginning of the next school year. Students will receive their awards in time to include them on their college and scholarship applications.
“We want to honor the hard work of these students through the College Board National Recognition Programs. This program creates a way for colleges and scholarship programs to connect directly with underrepresented students who they are hoping to reach,” said Tarlin Ray, College Board senior vice president of BigFuture. “We hope the award winners and their families celebrate this prestigious honor and it helps them plan for their big future.”
