Community
Joliet, IL Students Earn National College Board Honors
Joliet, IL – Dozens of students from Joliet Central and Joliet West high schools are being celebrated this month after earning College Board National Recognition Awards for academic achievement.
By Avery Collins · 2026-09-22T09:32:09.703Z
Joliet, IL – Dozens of students from Joliet Central and Joliet West high schools are being celebrated this month after earning College Board National Recognition Awards for academic achievement.
According to Joliet Township High School District 204, the students were recognized during the September Board of Education meeting for receiving National School Recognition Awards, National First Generation Recognition Awards or both.
The National School Recognition Award recognizes students who demonstrate strong academic performance within their school community. Eligible 10th and 11th grade students must have a cumulative GPA of B+ or higher. They must also rank among the top 10% of their high school 's test takers on the PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10, or earn scores of 3 or higher on at least two distinct AP exams by the end of 10th grade.
At Joliet Central, 15 students received the National School Recognition Award, while nine earned First Generation Recognition Awards.
Joliet West had 48 students receive National School Recognition Awards and 22 receive First Generation Recognition Awards.
The first generation honor recognizes students who are on track to become the first members of their families to complete college. Along with the B+ GPA requirement, qualifying students must meet College Board testing or AP exam criteria.
Among the students recognized were Stephani Alvarez Hernandez, Omar Beltran and Angela Guzman at Joliet Central, as well as Uriel Aguirre, Stephanie Arias Delcid and Aden Arzate at Joliet West. Numerous recipients earned recognition in both categories.
District officials congratulated the students and said the honors reflect their continued commitment to academic excellence.