Julyann Pagan, a senior at Thunderbird Adventist Academy, has been recognized by the College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Program. Pagan is the daughter of Pastor and Mrs. Julio Pagan of Kettering, Ohio.

"It was completely unexpected," said Pagan. "I was excited and pleased!"

"I'm happy to hear about this academic recognition for Julyann," said Mathieu Theoret, Thunderbird Adventist Academy chaplain. "In addition to doing well in class, Julyann is always willing to take part in religious activities. She is passionate about making Jesus a reality in her life. In fact, she is slated to be one of the main evangelistic speakers during Thunderbird Adventist Academy's upcoming mission to Peru."

The National Hispanic Recognition Program, established in 1983, is a College Board program that provides national recognition of the exceptional academic achievements of Hispanic high school seniors and identifies them for postsecondary institutions.

Students enter the program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) as high school juniors and by identifying themselves as Hispanic. From more than 140,000 students nationwide, a select group of 3,400 students are recognized by the program as Scholars or Honorable Mention Finalists.