DOWNEY – Ten St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy (PMA) students 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.

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.

Charles Aguilar (‘23), Christian Gomez (‘23), Guadalupe Sanchez (‘24), Isabela Salazar (‘24), Jonathan Rodriguez (‘24), Lucia Orozco (‘23), Natalie Olmos (‘24), Samantha Soto (‘23), and Valeria Rodriquez (‘23) have earned the National Hispanic Recognition Award, while the National Indigenous Recognition Award will be presented to Isaiah Grey (‘23).

These 10 students will be recognized during PMA’s honor roll assembly on Sept. 29.

“PMA is honored and blessed to have such exceptional students,” said Principal Zozaya. “I am very proud of our Warriors who have received this recognition from College Board. It’s a true testament of what wonderful things can come from hard work and dedication.

“I hope that these students can continue to recognize their significance and seize their opportunities and that they can inspire others to do the same.”

These programs help students from underrepresented backgrounds stand out in the college admissions process. Students who are eligible maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher and have excelled on the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, or earned a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP Exams; and are African American or Black, Hispanic American or Latinx, Indigenous, and/or attend school in a rural area or small town.

Downey’s only Catholic high school, St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy sits on 17 acres and offers a co-educational, college-preparatory curriculum. More information is available on the school’s website, piusmatthias.org, or by contacting the high school at (562) 861-2271.