Daniel Hamilton and Grace Wills have been named 2020 National AP Scholars by the College Board. Only one Habersham Central student has previously attained this recognition. Hamilton described the announcement as “a huge honor.” Wills, who was also valedictorian and Star Student for the Class of 2020, expressed excitement in sharing this accomplishment with Hamilton, “We have been friends and in the same classes since elementary school, and it’s awesome to be getting this honor alongside a great friend of mine.”
The National AP Scholar recognition is awarded to students who have earned a score of 4 or higher on eight or more AP exams with an overall average score of at least 4. AP exams are scored on a scale of 1 – 5, with scores of 3 or higher generally earning college credit.
“As superintendent, I want to congratulate Grace and Daniel for their historical accomplishment,” states Habersham Schools’ Matthew Cooper. “I am very proud that Habersham Central has two National AP Scholars for the first time. I also want to congratulate all of our other 2020 AP Scholars for their exceptional accomplishments during what were difficult circumstances.”
“For Class of 2020 graduates Grace Wills and Daniel Hamilton to both earn the title of National AP Scholar is unprecedented,” says HCHS Principal Jonathan Stribling. He calls Habersham Central students’ performance in Advanced Placement classes during the pandemic “inspiring.”
“The pandemic did not lessen the rigor of the AP exams nor the expectation of the College Board last spring. However, our students persevered and fought through the barriers and continued to post exemplary scores,” Stribling says. “I am proud of all HCHS’s AP scholars and their incredible teachers.”
In total, 73 Habersham Central High School students earned 2020 College Board AP Scholar recognitions. They took their AP exams at home last spring through a virtual administration.
The AP Scholar award is granted to students who received scores of 3 or higher on three or more exams. Habersham Central High School AP Scholars this year include Luke Atwood, Juan Borge, Tylar Brady, Sydney Brookshire, Duren Chambers, John Paul Conley, Dane Culver, Abigail Dini, Christopher Dini, Savannah Doster, Cara Elizabeth Ebers, Camryn Fricks, Autumn Gattis, Tristan Greer, Reagan Hart, Destiny Holland, Thomas Hotard, Tiffani Howard, Matthew Hudlow, Joshua Huizing, Sara Jones, Andrew Kivett, Klara Lleshi, Jacqueline Morales, Marissa Richardson, Aleigha Roll, Alexandra Shalikashvili, Caroline Shults, Sarah Smallwood, Noah Stephens, Yasmi Velasquez, Jose Virgen Ortiz, Ellis Wallace, Micah Ward, and Madeline Washington.
The AP Scholar with Honor award is given to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. This year’s Habersham Central AP Scholars with Honor include Molly Butler, Colby Caldwell, Isaac English, Sterlin Goodson, Anea Harris, Haidyn Hawkins, Ashley Hicks, Autumn Justus, Ege Keskin, Angela Lee, Jacob Macko, Lauren McEntyre, Jacob Meredith, Teresa Miguel, Chelsey Murphy, Hannah Panjic, and Joseph Terrell.
The AP Scholar with Distinction award recognizes students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. Habersham Central’s AP Scholars with Distinction include Madison Blackburn, Shaely Cannon, Avery Chambers, Maggie Cheek, Jasmine Evans, Alejandro Flores, Jonah Free, Ivan Garcia, Daniel Hamilton, Ellawyn Ketch, Ayla Maughon, Brian Orozco, Kellsie Rogers, Avery Smith, Hawk Smith, Gideon Tanner, Lindsey Tatum, Raya Tost, Romel Virgen Ortiz, Grace Wills, and Amber Wojteczko.
Habersham Central and Habersham Ninth Grade Academy currently offer 16 AP courses in the traditional classroom setting and additional courses through Georgia Virtual School.
