Thomas County Central High School junior Morgan Loper’s commitment to academic excellence has led to special recognition by the College Board. She recently won the National Rural and Small Town Recognition award, part of the College Board National Recognition programs.
“It's a great honor,” Loper said. “Personally, this means that I'm growing more as an individual, and it's shown me that I can achieve these high honors. This recognition benefits me because I'm trying to keep a great academic résumé. Being awarded this will definitely help show colleges that I'm taking high school and my academics seriously.”
According to the official College Board website, the College Board National Recognition programs create pathways to college for underrepresented students by awarding them academic honors to include on their scholarship/college applications and connecting them with universities nationwide. Requirements include a 3.5 GPA or higher, permanent U.S. residency, and current student enrollment. Specifically, junior honorees like Loper must meet one of these requirements: take the PSAT in the spring of their sophomore year or fall of their junior year and score in the top 10 percentile by state, or earn a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP exams before 11th grade.
“Since my freshman year, I've taken seven AP courses,” Loper said. “I made a 4 (out of 5) on AP Government and AP World History, and a 3 on AP Language. This year, I'm taking [AP] Music Theory, Environmental Science, English Literature, and U.S. History. I'm already preparing for these exams so I can continue to keep my academic résumé up. I've taken the PSAT every year since eighth grade, and my score has increased each year.”
Consideration for the National Rural and Small Town Recognition award depends upon high school location and determination of rural or small-town status based upon data from the National Center for Education Statistics. After receiving an email about the program, Loper took the initiative, researched the offerings, and applied. She later got an email announcing her acceptance.
“I'm just really happy all of my hard work throughout my middle and high school career is beginning to pay off,” Loper said.
TCCHS MERIT coordinator and AP instructor Erin White congratulated Loper on her accomplishment.
“We are very proud of Morgan – and all of our AP students – for taking on the challenge of a rigorous curriculum, excellence in the classroom, and the national AP exams,” she said.
Loper deems taking standardized tests like the PSAT and rigorous classes like AP courses super important and beneficial for students, even underclassmen.
“You're able to develop critical thinking skills, you can increase chances of scholarship opportunities and other awards, and they prepare you for college-level classes,” she said. “Not only that, but I've made great relationships with my teachers and peers because of AP classes. It can be really scary at first, especially if you're a freshman or taking an AP class for the first time, but I promise it's worth it. Your teachers are there to support you and help you through it all no matter what.”
Furthermore, Loper encourages peers to challenge themselves by taking AP classes and standardized tests.
“The benefits are rewarding, and the satisfaction you feel from knowing that you were able to overcome that obstacle is the best part,” she said.
Currently, Loper’s focus is on upcoming college admissions applications and rigorous courses like her four AP classes this year.
“I hope that this award will boost my chances of being accepted into a wide selection of schools,” she said. “I don't feel like winding down or taking easier classes; I'm going to work hard and keep everything up to par.”