CHESHIRE, Mass. — Hoosac Valley High School student Talia Rehill recieved academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs. 

 

These programs celebrate students' hard work in high school and showcase their strong academic performance. The academic honors for rural area, Black, Indigenous, and/or Latino students are an opportunity for students to share their strong academic achievements with colleges and scholarship programs that are seeking to recruit diverse talent.

 

At Hoosac Valley High School, one student, Talia Rehill, received this academic honor.

 

Rehill is a senior this year, interested in pursuing a postsecondary degree in Political Science, with an extended interest in law and bringing awareness to the individuals behind the faces of homelessness.  Along with academic success, including dual enrollment classes at Williams College and Berkshire Community College, Rehill is the President of LEO Club, President of Student Council, President of the Class of 2024, a member of the Athletic Leadership Council, World of Difference, National Honor Society, School Musical, Yearbook Editor, and the Youth Representative for the 84 Movement. Athletically, Rehill competes on the Hoosac Valley Track and Field teams and is the Captain of her Varsity Soccer team. 

 

When asked about her achievements, Rehill said:

 

"It is an honor to represent the Adams-Cheshire community on such a high level through the College Board's National Recognition Program. Although the small population within my community is often seen as a downside, it is this very quality that has allowed me to make social, intellectual, and professional connections that have propelled me toward success beyond my years. Hoosac Valley High School and its impeccable faculty have fostered pathways and set students afoot toward their lifelong goals. This recognition is only a sliver of the thanks that these educators deserve. The root of success does not stem from the classroom, it stems from the household. I have been blessed with a mother who has modeled ambition and unparalleled work ethic since the beginning. She taught my siblings and me to never merely rely on our brains, but to rely on the driving force of our passions to do the best that we could possibly do. My older sister, a 2020 Hoosac Valley graduate, has dedicated herself to mastering early childhood education at the University of Massachusetts. My younger brother, a sophomore at Hoosac Valley High School, pursues his love for athletics through football and lacrosse on the Varsity level. In my family, I have always been the one who devotes her full attention to her academics.

 

When all three of the Rehills attended Hoosac Valley at the same time, our report cards would be sent to my mom at the end of each marking period. Despite having higher grades than both of my siblings, each of our report cards would be hung on our refrigerator with mismatched magnets at the same height. Each of our bodies would be hugged, and each of our ears would be told of how proud our mom was for our best effort. It was this unconditional love and equal treatment that bred my internal motivation. 

 

When I spent an extra hour studying at night, it was never for the approval of my mom. When I took on the most difficult courses offered at the school, it was never for the approval of my mom. When I received this award, though she was filled with enormous pride, my mother did not reward me with endless celebration. At Hoosac Valley High School, I fulfill my ambition each and every day by the effort I choose to put into the classes and school culture around me. For any parent who wants their child to succeed beyond their greatest desires, my piece of advice to you is to let this idea go and choose to love them regardless. Even in a small town like Adams or Cheshire, the pathways are endless and equally valuable. Only through self-exploration can an adolescent find the driving force of their passion. An aspiring kindergarten teacher, a high-achieving student, or a sports fanatic—hang their report cards at the same height as my mom did."

 

 

"We're thrilled to celebrate Talia and recognize her for the great work she's been doing. We're proud of her strong academic performance in the classroom and on College Board assessments like the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and AP exams," added High School Principal, Colleen Bryd. "There's so much that makes our Hoosac Valley students unique, and receiving this honor reinforces this as an asset for their future."

 

The criteria for eligible students include:

 

 

Eligible students are invited to apply on BigFuture during their sophomore or junior year and are awarded at the start of the next school year in time to share their achievements in high school as they plan for the future. At the same time, colleges and organizations using College Board's Student Search Service can connect directly with awardees during the recruitment process.