COLLEGE BOARD NATIONAL RECOGNITION PROGRAMS HONOR THREE LSMSA STUDENTS

by Corey Poole

Three Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) seniors have earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs. Olutunmike “Tum-Tum” Adeleye (’22) of Natchitoches; Nyaleima Gbondo (’22) of Thibodaux; and Michael Meaney (’22) of DeRidder have been recognized for remarkable academic achievements and outstanding performance on PSAT and/or AP tests.

All three students were designated as College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program Scholars and College Board National African American Recognition Program Scholars, and Michael Meaney was additionally recognized as a College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar.

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.

“We couldn’t be prouder of these students for excelling both in the classroom and on College Board assessments,” said LSMSA Director of Academic Services Dr. Kristi Pope Key. “It’s always wonderful when we can see our students recognized for their hard work.”

Students who 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 may be eligible. Eligible students are 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.

“By awarding students who excel academically with honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs, our aim is to create pathways to college for underrepresented students,” said Steve Bumbaugh, College Board senior vice president of College & Career Access. “We hope this inspires many more students to work toward this recognition.”