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More than 100 NCSS students named 2019 AP Scholars
Ap scholars

COVINGTON, Ga. - Newton County School System is pleased to announce that 111 students have earned AP Scholar Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on AP Exams during the 2018-2019 school year. The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program provides willing and academically prepared students with the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses while still in high school, and to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on the AP Exams.

National AP Scholar Award

Five Eastside High School students from the Class of 2019 —Jacob David, Jackson Grady, Muhammad Bilal Haider Zaidi, McKenna Walker and Katlyn Williams — qualified for the prestigious National AP Scholar Award by earning an average score of four or higher on a five-point scales on all AP Exams taken, and scores of four or higher on eight or more of these exams. 

AP Scholar with Distinction Award

14 NCSS students qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of three or higher on five or more of these exams. These students are:
  • Alcovy High School: Class of 2019 —Julia Towns (NCCA STEM); and Class of 2020 — Simon Jenkins.
  • Eastside High: Class of 2019—Georgia Glaze, Muhammad Ejaz Haider Zaidi, Michael Huffman, Levi Larson, Emily Lent, Karsten McMichael and Rebekah Stowe; and Class of 2020 — Braxton Buff, Mia Busby, Creighton Goerner and Eathan Xu.
  • Newton High: Class of 2020—Scott Evritt (ALANHS).

AP Scholar with Honor Award

12 NCSS students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of three or higher on four or more of these exams. These students include:  
  • Eastside High: Class of 2019 — Lillian Fowler and Kendel McAuliffe; and Class of 2020 — Jack Atkinson (NCCA STEM), Jet Dong, Lucas Harper, Sophia Hawley, Allie Hay, Johanna Pestle and Sarah Schlueter.
  • Newton High: Class of 2019 — Thomas Powell; and Class of 2020 — Eliana Lewis (ALANHS) and Jacob Schneider (ALANHS).

AP Scholar Award

79 NCSS students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with scores of three or higher. These AP Scholars include:
  • Alcovy High: Class of 2019 — James Eller, Fernando Ortiz, Jacob Sorrells and Riley Thompson (NCCA STEM); Class of 2020 — Samuel Dage (NCCA STEM), Conner Jessup (NCCA STEM), Juleigh Lynn (NCCA STEM), Miguel Ruiz, Michael Smith (NCCA STEM) and Shemar Williams; and Class of 2021 — Abriella Farino. 
  • Eastside High: Class of 2019 — Brendan Amman, Haley Boogher, Alex Brown, Emma Camfield, Maggie Camfield, Catherine Campbell, Hayley Chiapetta, Dani Fairey, Caroline Grimaldi, Ryan Harris, Caleb Herron, Sarah Hicks, Olivia Holladay, Kennia James (NCCA); Christian Johnson, Bethany Jones, Gavin Keys, Joshua Kirkham (NCCA), Maggie Malcolm, Sara Mobley, Anh-Thu Nguyen (NCCA STEM), Ellie Proffitt, Madison Roberts, Jonathan Sugg, Ross Thompson, Richard Watson (NCCA STEM), Shellie Xu, Malaya Yamasaki and Savannah Zarna; Class of 2020 — Nolan Avery, Kenlee Boyd, Hannah Brooker, Madison Brown (NCCA), Pierce Downs, Kinsley Dozier, Zach Faith, Ava Glover, McKenzie Guerrero, Davion Haynes, Tiana Hoff, Wesley Hudgins, Miranda Johnson, Duncan Jourdan, Bethany Larson, Marie McBride, Keishell Miller (NCCA), Bailey Oller, Logan Putnam and Nyla Wright; and Class of 2021 — Jet Rawls.
  • Newton High: Class of 2019 — Nadia Ahmed (NCCA STEM), Christopher Grant (ALANHS), Jordyn Greenwood (ALANHS), April Jay, Nala McCamy (ALANHS), Keandra McGregor, Anthony Reiser, Joy Sharp (ALANHS), Shelby Strickland (ALANHS), Avel Triana (NCCA STEM) and Lylia Young (ALANHS); Class of 2020 — Hannah Bodus, Israel Dixon (ALANHS), Alexia Foster (ALANHS), Kijana Knights (NCCA STEM), Alexandrea O’Toole (NCCA), Isabella Schneider (ALANHS) and Laurynn Scurlock (ALANHS).
Those students still currently enrolled in high school have this school year in which to complete additional college-level work and possibly earn a higher-level AP Scholar Award.


“Advanced Placement classes are more difficult than standard classes as they necessitate high-level calculating and critical thinking skills required of college students,” Dr. Nikkita Warfield, NCSS director of secondary education, said. “Exposure to AP classes in high school helps prepare students to better handle the rigors of college-level studies. It is exciting to see so many of our students enrolling in these rigorous courses, as it indicates that they are committed to extending themselves now, in high school, so they are better prepared and more likely to succeed when they get to college.”
Warfield added, “We have excellent AP teachers who are preparing our students for college through daily exposure to high level teaching strategies and rigorous coursework. Our AP scholars, as well as their teachers, should be very proud of this accomplishment. We have focused on college and career readiness across all grade levels and this is the result. Our students are earning national recognition as AP scholars, but more importantly, they are leaving our high schools better prepared to succeed in college.” 


“I am very proud of these students,” NCSS Superintendent Samantha Fuhrey said. “They have not only challenged themselves by enrolling in these very rigorous AP courses but they have also excelled in them. Attaining AP Scholar designation is no easy feat as these are college-level courses. To have over 100 NCSS students named AP Scholars is a testament to the students’ commitment to their studies and their teachers’ dedication to providing rigorous instruction with high expectations in the classroom each and every day.”


Through 34 different college-level courses and exams, AP provides willing and academically prepared students with the opportunity to earn college credit or advanced placement and stand out in the college admission process. Each exam is developed by a committee of college and university faculty and AP teachers, ensuring that AP Exams are aligned with the same high standards expected by college faculty at some of the nation’s leading liberal arts and research institutions. More than 3,800 colleges and universities annually receive AP scores. Most four-year colleges in the United States provide credit and/or advanced placement for qualifying exam scores. Research consistently shows that AP students who score a 3 or higher on AP Exams (based on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest) typically experience greater academic success in college and have higher college graduation rates than students who do not participate in AP.


The College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education. Today, the membership association is made up of over 6,000 of the world’s leading educational institutions and is dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education. 


Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success — including SAT and the Advanced Placement Program. The organization also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators and schools.


For more information on Newton County School System’s AP Scholars, contact Sherri Davis, director of Public Relations for Newton County Schools, at davis.sherri@newton.k12.ga.us.