Eastside Catholic School is pleased to announce that junior Dominic Tiplin and senior Geronimo Valle have been recognized by the College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP). This prestigious honor celebrates Hispanic/Latino students for their outstanding academic performance, particularly on the PSAT/NMSQT, and highlights their achievements to more than 1,500 colleges across the country.

Both Dominic and Geronimo have demonstrated exemplary academic performance, placing them among an elite group of students nationwide. “It is a tremendous honor to celebrate Dominic and Geronimo’s accomplishments,” said Acting High School Principal Soonja Larsen. “Their dedication to their studies and embodiment of our Touchstones of Academic Excellence, Relationships and Servant Leadership are truly inspiring. We are confident they will continue to excel and make remarkable strides in their futures.”

The NHRP, similar to the National Merit Scholarship program, recognizes high-achieving Hispanic/Latino students who meet rigorous criteria, including top-tier PSAT scores and maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher. This program offers students the opportunity to stand out in the college admissions process and positions them for scholarships and other academic opportunities.

Out of more than 180,000 eligible applicants across the U.S., only 62,000 students were recognized through the College Board’s National Recognition Programs. These programs also include the National African American, Hispanic, Indigenous and Rural/Small Town Recognition categories and spotlight talented students from underrepresented communities, empowering them to pursue their academic dreams with greater visibility and opportunity.

Both Dominic and Geronimo are not only stellar students but also thoughtful leaders with clear goals for the future:
 

• Dominic plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. He attributes his success to effective time management: "Using a calendar has been a key tool in helping me stay on top of my assignments throughout high school.”

• Geronimo, who also aspires to study mechanical engineering,  advises younger students to embrace challenges head-on: “Do the things you are afraid to do. If not, you will regret it. You always do.”

Eastside Catholic School is proud to support students like Dominic and Geronimo, whose achievements reflect their hard work and commitment to excellence. Their recognition in the National Hispanic Recognition Program is a testament to the vibrant and diverse talent within our school community.