Clayton Public School District is proud to celebrate seven Clayton High School students who earned academic honors through the 2026 College Board National Recognition Program. The students join more than 300,000 high-achieving students nationwide recognized for their academic accomplishments based on their performance on AP® Exams and/or PSAT-related assessments.

Congratulations to our 2026 award recipients:

Joseph D. Connell — First-Generation Recognition Award and School Recognition Award

Molly J. Giuliani— School Recognition Award

Cole E. Venuto— School Recognition Award

Representing the Classes of 2027 and 2028, these students have demonstrated a strong commitment to their education and distinguished themselves through their academic achievement.

“We are tremendously proud of our students for earning this well-deserved recognition. Their hard work, commitment, and outstanding accomplishments throughout high school have truly set them apart, and this honor will help open doors as they continue working toward a bright and promising future,” said Matthew Slater, principal of Clayton High School.

The College Board National Recognition Program honors high-achieving students and provides them with an academic distinction they can include on college and scholarship applications, helping their accomplishments stand out as they plan for life after high school.

Additional National Merit Recognition for Joseph Connell

Clayton High School is also proud to share an additional academic achievement for Joseph D. Connell, who has been named a Commended Student in the 2027 National Merit® Scholarship Program.

Joseph is among approximately 34,000 Commended Students nationwide being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2027 National Merit Scholarship competition by taking the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).

As a Commended Student, Joseph will receive a Letter of Commendation from Clayton High School and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation in recognition of his outstanding academic achievement.

Joseph D. Connell receives the First-Generation Recognition Award and School Recognition Award from Clayton High School Principal Matthew Slater.