Students honored at scholarship reception
The SAISD Foundation and the Office of Academics and School Leadership celebrated more than 125 San Antonio ISD students earlier this week at the 2019 SAISD Scholar Celebration. The event, held at the VIA Grand Rotunda, was organized to recognize the academic achievements of SAISD students who have been named to one of three national scholar programs: the Duke TIP Talent Search, National Hispanic Recognition Program, or AP Scholars.
“These students represent the best of SAISD scholars,” said Liz Ozuna, director of Advanced Academics. “These honors are not easily earned and require work, persistence, and commitment on the part of the students as well as high levels of adult support and encouragement.”
The Duke TIP Talent Search Scholars program recognizes eighth-grade students who took the ACT/SAT in the spring of their seventh-grade year and met college readiness benchmarks in one or more areas on each test. These scores are comparable to high school seniors. This year, SAISD had 25 students earn State Recognition and two students earn Grand (national) Recognition.
The National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar program recognizes Latinx students who meet qualifying score criteria on the PSAT/NMSQT in the fall of their junior year and maintain a 3.5 or higher grade point average. While not a scholarship, this academic honor frequently earns its recipients invitations to top-tier colleges and may play a key role in earning scholarships.
The AP Scholar award is given to students who earn a 3, 4 or 5 on three or more Advanced Placement tests.
“We know that when we provide opportunities for academic excellence, our students meet and exceed our high expectations,” said Ozuna. “These students continue to prove what is possible when our students are given access to opportunities for academic challenge. Our SAISD scholars more than earn this recognition, and it is our hope that they will inspire others to achieve at these high levels of excellence.”
Students were asked to bring two families members, as well as invite a special teacher who had helped them on their journey to success in courses at SAISD. The event included a welcome reception and recognition from District leadership, the SAISD Foundation and the Advanced Academics team, along with a certificate.
“The SAISD Foundation is committed to increasing student and teacher success, we feel it is imperative to recognize student excellence and are very proud to be showcasing the academic scholars in our District at this event,” said Judy Geelhoed, executive director of the SAISD Foundation.