Two Sheridan High School students earn honors from College Board’s National Recognition Program

Submitted by Sheridan Community Schools

Students at Sheridan High School earned academic honors from the College Board AP Honor Roll. The program celebrates the hard work of thousands of high school students nationwide to help them showcase their strong academic performance.

For the first time, the academic honors recognize first-generation students in addition to rural and small-town, black, indigenous, and Hispanic or Latino students. The program opens college access for more students because many institutions use the awards for their recruitment efforts.

At Sheridan High School, two students received recognition:

• Owen Bell – National First-Generation Recognition
• Devyn Pewarski – National Rural & Small Town Recognition

“We are incredibly proud of Owen and Devyn for earning these honors,” Principal Rick Davis said. “Their dedication and perseverance are truly remarkable, and these awards reflect not only their academic achievements but also their potential to succeed in college and beyond.”

Both students expressed gratitude for the recognition.

Bell said, “Being recognized as a first-generation student means a lot to me and my family. It feels good to know that my hard work is paying off and opening doors for my future.”

Pewarski added, “Coming from a small town, it’s super motivating to see how opportunities like this can impact my future. This recognition serves as a reminder that there’s always possibility to grow, no matter how far off it seems.”

Eligible students must meet the following criteria to qualify: earn a grade-point average of B+ (equal to at least 3.3 or 87 to 89 percent) or higher, score in the top 10 percent on PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 assessments in their state, or earn a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP Exams by the end of 10^th grade. Additionally, students must attend school in a rural area or small town or identify as African American/black, Hispanic/Latino, indigenous/Native American, or first-generation college students.

In addition to these individual student honorees, Sheridan High School was awarded “Bronze” Status on the College Board AP Honor Roll for its successes with the AP Program. To receive Bronze recognition, a school must meet the following: 40 percent or more of the graduating cohort took at least one AP exam during high school, 25 percent or more of the graduating cohort scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam during high school, and 2 percent or more of the graduating cohort took five or more AP exams during high school with at least one being taken in the 9th or 10th grade.

These achievements underscore the commitment of Sheridan High School to academic excellence, providing opportunities for students to thrive and preparing them for future success.