Sixty-three students from seven Richmond County School System (RCSS) high schools earned 2026 College Board National Recognition honors for outstanding academic achievement on Advanced Placement (AP) exams.  

Students earned 58 School Recognition Awards and 15 First-Generation Recognition Awards, with 10 students receiving both honors. 

“Studies have shown that students who take at least one AP exam are more likely to be admitted to college," said Charlie Tudor III, advanced studies program administrator for the school system. "These students challenged themselves with college-level curriculum while still in high school and excelled in it. We're very proud of their hard work."

Students qualify for recognition during their sophomore or junior year by maintaining a cumulative B-plus average, equivalent to a GPA of at least 3.3, and meeting additional academic benchmarks. These include scoring in the top 10% of eligible PSAT test takers at the school or state level or earning scores of 3 or higher on at least two Advanced Placement exams by 10th grade.  

RCSS promotes success in Advanced Placement coursework through a network of teacher collaboration focused on effective instructional practices, coordinated AP Classroom and exam-preparation supports, and personalized academic advising. Counselors, teachers, and administrators work with students each year to identify AP opportunities that align with their strengths, interests, and college aspirations. 

The following Richmond County School System students earned recognition: 

A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School 

• School Recognition Award: Colton Crawford, Daviel Geraldo-Vargas, Deven Hurst and David Person. 

• First-Generation Recognition Award: Chloe Coleman and Mason Rutherford. 

• Both awards: Gabriel Hampton. 

Academy of Richmond County High School 

• School Recognition Award: Elizabeth Brigham, Promise Bush, Carson Hand, Keron Mangaza, Isabel Mendoza, David Osbon, Cullen Rahimi, Lillianna Rohde, Jason Rollen, Benjamin Smith, Madisyn Troup and Forrest Walker. 

• Both awards: Kyra Hightower and Jayden Williams. 

John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School 

• School Recognition Award: Adetutu Adeyemi, Annabel Del Fabbro, Sophia Gabrielle Espenida, Kennedy Grayson, Carsten Hunt, Akira Itokazu, Akim Kolawole, Sarah Noel, Elsie Reeves, Michaela Roberson, Ava Robinson, Luke Thomas, Kayla Tiller, Ashley Trochez, Eliza Wray and Roshan Zechariah. 

• First-Generation Recognition Award: Jordan Goolsby, Julia Prouty and Rena Williams. 

• Both awards: Paityn Carver, Liz Delong, Luis Kraut, Sacha Parker and Vanessa Watterson. 

Hephzibah Comprehensive High School 

• School Recognition Award: Geralyn Hollins and Destiny McIlwain. 

Lucy C. Laney High School 

• School Recognition Award: Abigail Harris and Alexandria Stewart. 

Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School 

• School Recognition Award: Bryson Boone, Sheldon Priester and Destiny Vanzuela. 

Westside Comprehensive High School 

• School Recognition Award: Danil Collins, Ethan Collins, Courtney Davis, Elliot Jackson, Chloe Ludwig, Asia Martinez, Jasmine Pena, Alaina Smith and Kiaja Wells. 

• Both awards: Keldrick Allen and Mariah Claridy.