Killeen ISD students earn national academic honors from College Board

Forty-four students from Killeen ISD have been honored as College Board National Recognition Program Scholars for their outstanding academic achievements, including high scores on the PSAT and AP exams. 
 
These students rank among the top 10 percent of test takers nationwide who identify as African American, Hispanic American, Indigenous, first-generation college students, or who attend school in rural or small-town areas. 
 
To earn this recognition, students need to achieve top scores on the PSAT or AP exams and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher. 
 
“It’s always great to see our Killeen ISD students honored at a national level for their hard work and dedication to learning,” Superintendent Jo Ann Fey said. “We applaud this achievement, and all that this award represents.” 
 
The College Board recognition program aims to commend the academic achievements of top-performing students from underrepresented communities and connect students with universities across the country.  
 
The following KISD students have been recognized for the 2024 awards: 
 
CHAPARRAL HIGH SCHOOL 
Mikayla Gray - National African American Recognition Award  
William Hickok - National Hispanic Recognition Award  
Noah Luevano - National Hispanic Recognition Award 
Derek Ortiz Mercado - National African American Recognition Award   
Arreanna Sundean-Crowe - National Indigenous Recognition Award  
Adi Patel - National First-Generation Recognition Award  
Amara Wiltzius - National Hispanic Recognition Award, National First-Generation Recognition Award  
Surayya Irfan - National First-Generation Recognition Award  
 
EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL 
Peyton Carpenter - National First-Generation Recognition Award, National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award  
Carlos Chavez - National African American Recognition Award, National Hispanic Recognition Award  
Aundrea Del Pozo - National Hispanic Recognition Award  
Jasmin Escalante - National Hispanic Recognition Award, National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award  
Arlisha Gonfel - National Indigenous Recognition Award, National First-Generation Recognition Award  
Esperanza Jones - National Hispanic Recognition Award, National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award  
Arkaidian Kiara Laanan - National Indigenous Recognition Award  
Jayden Matney - National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award  
Zaqira Nesbitt - National African American Recognition Award, National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award  
Nadine Nyamari - National African American Recognition Award  
Shawn Owens - National First-Generation Recognition Award  
Diego Primero - National Hispanic Recognition Award, National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award  
Jeriden Rush - National African American Recognition Award  
Eli Salmeron - National Hispanic Recognition Award, National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award  
Lucila Soto - National Hispanic Recognition Award, National First-Generation Recognition Award  
Dennis Tagoe - National African American Recognition Award, National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award  
Kennedy Vassar - National African American Recognition Award, National First-Generation Recognition Award  
Ashley Yescas - National Hispanic Recognition Award, National First-Generation Recognition Award  
Destiny Ford - National African American Recognition Award, National Hispanic Recognition Award, and National First-Generation Recognition Award  
 
ELLISON HIGH SCHOOL 
Quientin Abston - National African American Recognition Award  
Kathryn Baldovio - National First-Generation Recognition Award  
Cristina Granados - National Hispanic Recognition Award  
Aaliyah Hughes - National African American Recognition Award, National First-Generation Recognition Award  
Jace Ramos - National African American Recognition Award, National Hispanic Recognition Award  
Natasha Zarate - National First-Generation Recognition Award  
 
HARKER HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL 
Paul Batchelor - National First-Generation Recognition Award  
Jayden Gladden - National African American Recognition Award  
Matthew Rangel - National Hispanic Recognition Award  
 
KILLEEN HIGH SCHOOL 
Da’Nella Johnson - National African American Recognition Award  
Julie Natividad - National Hispanic Recognition Award  
Kevin Perry - National African American Recognition Award, National First-Generation Recognition Award  
 
SHOEMAKER HIGH SCHOOL 
Sakura Belmoro - National First-Generation Recognition Award  
Brenden Findley - National African American Recognition Award, National First-Generation Recognition Award 
Angel Lemus - National Hispanic Recognition Award, National First-Generation Recognition Award  
Andres Valladares - National Hispanic Recognition Award