Three Western seniors win awards through BigFuture Program
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Left to right, Sabrina Aebel – Rural and Small Town Recognition Award and School Recognition Award, Ella Conkright – School Recognition Award, and Alexander Conner – First-Generation Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award, and the School Recognition Award. (Submitted photo)
Western High School is proud to celebrate the achievements of its students who earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Program. The BigFuture Program helps students stand out on college and scholarship applications. Every year, talented students claim an award based on their achievement on College Board assessments. Western High School students qualified by taking the PSAT/NMSQ exam during their junior year.
In 2025, the program offered three awards to students of all backgrounds and across schools nationwide: First-Generation Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award, and for the first time, the School Recognition Award, to honor top-performing students in every high school, including lesser-known schools.
This year, 3 seniors at Western High School were given the following recognition:
Sabrina Aebel – Rural and Small Town Recognition Award and School Recognition Award
Ella Conkright – School Recognition Award
Alexander Conner – First-Generation Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town
Recognition Award, and the School Recognition Award
“We are so proud of our students at Western High School,” said JoAnn McCollum, School Counselor. “This honor celebrates their achievements and encourages them as they plan their goals for the future.”
Students verify their eligibility during their junior year by meeting the following criteria: Take the PSAT/NMSQT in 11th grade, Earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 by the time of submission, Be one of the top 10% of test takers in their high school, among first-generation college students in their state, and/or among rural and small-town students in their state.
The recognition serves as an opportunity for communities to celebrate students as they start a new school year. Colleges and scholarship organizations using the College Board Student Search Service can connect with awardees during the recruitment process to share more about their postsecondary programs. “We are deeply committed to clearing a path for each and every student to take ownership of their future. We are excited that this program recognizes achievements of students across the country,” said Amy Reitz, senior vice president of BigFuture at College Board. “With the highest participation in the program’s history this year, we are proud to support these students on their future paths.”
