September 22, 2021- A total of Nearly 40 students from Champion and Boerne High Schools have earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition 
Programs. These 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.
In addition to the College Board National recognitions, Champion seniors Ethan Thornton and Halle Vandersloot have been named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. Semifinalists are the highest-scoring program entrants in each state and represent the top 0.5 percent of the state's senior students. Students complete an application to be considered for National Merit Finalist. Finalists are announced in February of 2022.
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.
Students who may be eligible 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, Hispanic American, Indigenous, and/or attend school in a rural area or small town.
The full list of Champion’s National Merit and College Board Recognition Program students are:
National Merit Semifinalists:
Ethan Thornton
Halle Vandersloot
College Board National African American Recognition Program Scholars:
Gabriel Hernandez
Khiara Flugence
Larysa Green
College Board National Indigenous Recognition Program Scholar:
Matthew Matsuzaki
College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars:
Aaron Deleon
Abbey Caudill
Abigail Allen
Aidan Calderon
Andre Ortiz
Anna Sagui
Christine McGinn
Conner Aldrich
Elena Ortegon
Evelyn Bell
Gabriel Hernandez
Helena Chavez
Jacquelyn Nevarez
Lidia Miller
Lorenna Garza
Lorenna Garza
Marisa Matos
Matthew Jeffery
Matthew Matsuzaki
Natalie Wood
Nicholas Cordero
Palmer Guerra
Robert Gutierrez
Sofia Parra
Turner Rey
College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program Scholars:
Aaron Deleon
Abbey Caudill
Abigail Allen
Aidan Calderon
Andre Ortiz
Anna Sagui
Christine McGinn
Conner Aldrich
Elena Ortegon
Ethan Ratliff
Evelyn Bell
Gabriel Hawkins
Gabriel Hernandez
Helena Chavez
Jacquelyn Nevarez
Khiara Flugence
Larysa Green
Lidia Miller
Lorenna Garza
Marisa Matos
Matthew Jeffery
Matthew Matsuzaki
Natalie Wood
Nicholas Cordero
Orren Smith
Palmer Guerra
Robert Gutierrez
Ryan Howe
Ryan Nereson
Sofia Parra
Sophia Raimondo
Turner Rey
Wyatt Chandler
The full list of Boerne High School’s College Board Recognition Program students are:
National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars
Angela Sanchez
David Martinez
Emily Rainbolt
Hailey Luna
Jamin Ochoa
Jess Gonzales
Mylea Verastegui
National African American Recognition Program Scholars
Emily Rainbolt
Jamin Ochoa
National Indigenous Recognition Program Scholars
Emily Rainbolt
National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program Scholars
Angela Sanchez
David Martinez
Emily Rainbolt
Hailey Luna
Jamin Ochoa
Jess Gonzales
