Meet the National Hispanic Recognized Scholar from Maryvale Prep

Sergio Montalvo, a junior at Maryvale Preparatory Academy, was excited to learn that he was recognized as a National Hispanic Scholar. The National Hispanic Recognition Program (NRHP) recognizes outstanding Latino and Hispanic high school students who earned high scores on the PSAT, the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, during their junior or sophomore years.

Montalvo said he was overjoyed when he received the news. “I knew from reading that paper, that if I continue with the same vigor I have been applying to my studies, I would certainly graduate college. The award made me feel secure about my future,” he said.

“I am heavily invested in attending Arizona State University,” he shared. Montalvo explained that ASU is among the best engineering schools in the world, and it is close enough to home that he can remain with parents as he completes his higher education. He intends to pursue a career in either aerospace, mechanical, or biomechanical engineering. “Technology is a passion of mine, and applying advanced machinery to augment the capabilities of humanity is my dream.”

“A simple yet fundamental trait that I have noticed about Sergio is his ability to remain curious about the task or concept at hand, while applying the outcome or new knowledge to future objectives,” shared Georgy Ayala, Montalvo’s college counselor at Maryvale Prep. “While most kids his age get stuck on what’s important now, Sergio seems to realize the impact of the concept now, and future possibilities.”

Montalvo said he can’t stress enough the impact his teachers have made on him. “So many of them are able to guide students through challenging material, allowing for the development of curiosity,” he shared. “In my opinion this is the most essential trait for any human, and especially any scholar, to have.” He noted that in contrast the school he attended prior to his freshman year at Maryvale Prep, who seemed to solely focus on the quantity of work, he now feels challenged by his teachers who take the time to invoke curiosity in him.

His teachers, in turn, appreciate his inquisitiveness and leadership that he brings to the classroom. Especially his physics teacher, Mr. Turner. “He is always asking quality questions that actively improve his learning.,” he said. “His classmates trust his physics judgment as he really contemplates all parts of a problem.”

His French language teacher, Madame Byrne, specifically comes to mind as an inspiration during his time at Maryvale Prep. “She taught me that no matter how challenging a subject may be to learn, it can still be learned,” he said. “When I started taking French class in 9th grade, I had no exposure to the French language before. After two and a half years of taking this class, I can say that it has been among the most useful classes I have taken in my life. How to communicate with several million more speakers than I could in eighth grade really motivates me.”

While the NHRP is not a scholarship program, it does provide students with a certificate of recognition that can be shared with colleges or scholarship granting organizations. It is the oldest of College Board’s recognition programs which has more recently added separate recognition programs for Black, Indigenous, and rural students. The NHRP is distinct from the National Merit Scholarship Program, which is administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

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