The College Board has recognized seven Westerville South students for their PSAT and AP exam scores through its National African American Recognition Award.
Seniors Cabdullaahi Nuur, Sophia Wright, and Charlotte Frimpong along with juniors Andria James-Weima, Joel Cheruiyot, and Joshua Binder gathered in the Joy Rose Media Center on Sep. 1 for a photo to honor their achievement in receiving this award. Sara Mohamed, junior, was not present for the photo.
The Big Future Award, specifically the one these students received, recognizes African Americans, for their PSAT/NMSQT/PSAT 10 and AP exam scores. According to the College Board’s website, a student must have a 3.5GPA or higher to be eligible; and if entering AP scores, must have taken two distinctive exams.
“It’s a pretty cool thing to be recognized by something as huge as the College Board, just for the stuff I do at school,” Cheruiyot said. He took the PSAT and AP exams for AP Calculus and AP Government as a sophomore. He said he applied for the award after being contacted by the College Board about the opportunity.
Binder said he was happy about receiving the award but expressed his dissatisfaction at the scarcity of opportunities that do not require an essay. “I’ve seen a lot online but I always turn away because writing isn’t my strongest suit,” he said.
He also brought into question the credibility of such opportunities and how to find reliable scholarships and awards. Frimpong, as well, spoke about the lack of awareness surrounding such resources, despite their availability.
Westerville South counselor, Justin Ferguson, however, said the counseling team tries their best to inform students. He said whether it be through emails, or Schoology posts on the Pupil Services course, they’re putting out information. But, Ferguson said, it is a matter of if students are checking those resources. He also put emphasis on students advocating for themselves and reaching out if they need anything specific.
Despite the difference in perspectives, Cheruiyot, Binder, and Ferguson, all agree there could always be more opportunities for minorities. “We’ve experienced centuries and centuries of a broken system; trying to provide more is always the goal,” said Ferguson, managing to touch upon the systematic inequalities society is still trying to reverse/address.
College Board’s Big Future is a resourceful tool which also contains recognition/scholarship chances for various other minority groups.
