MMA Cadets Nationally Recognized for Academic Excellence by the College Board

Missouri Military Academy (MMA) is proud to celebrate the achievements of its cadets who earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Program. The program, available on BigFuture®, helps students stand out on college and scholarship applications. Every year, high-achieving students earn recognition based on their achievement on College Board assessments, including the PSAT/NMSQT®, PSAT™ 10, and AP® Exams.

This year, four MMA cadets earned School Recognition Awards through the program: Cadet Christopher Song, a high school senior from Southlake, TX; Cadet Clayton Reich, a senior from Phoenix, AZ; Cadet Erick Bond, a senior from Houston, TX; and Cadet Alexander Jones, a senior from Leawood, KS.

“We’re incredibly proud of our cadets to be recognized for their dedication and excellence,” said MMA Academic Dean Ranae Clement. “This honor demonstrates their exceptional achievements in high school and supports their next steps, as they continue to pursue their college and career goals beyond the Academy.”

Students verify their eligibility during their sophomore or junior year by meeting the following criteria:

• Take the PSAT/NMSQT (10th, 11th), PSAT 10 (10th), and/or AP Exams (by the end of 10th).
• Earn a cumulative GPA of B+ or higher (at least 3.3 or 87%-89%) by the time of submission.
• Be one of the top 10% of test takers in their high school, among first-generation college students in their state, and/or among rural and small-town students in their state, OR earn a 3+ on 2 or more distinct AP Exams in the 8th, 9th, and/or 10th grade.

The recognition serves as a signal for colleges eager to recruit awardees and as an opportunity for communities to celebrate students as they start a new school year. Thousands of nonprofit colleges and scholarship organizations using the College Board Student Search Service™ can connect with awardees during the recruitment process to share more about their postsecondary programs.

Looking ahead, these cadets are already preparing for their futures beyond MMA.

• Reich plans to pursue higher education at either Purdue University or the U.S. Air Force Academy with aspirations of becoming an Air Force or airline pilot.
• Bond has narrowed his options to Texas institutions—including Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and the University of Houston—with the goal of becoming a physical therapist to help others recover and thrive.
• Song intends to attend West Point or pursue ROTC, with a focus on graduating debt-free and building a strong foundation for life after college.
• Jones has not yet decided on a college but plans to major in cybersecurity, with the long-term goal of working in the industry, opening a consulting firm, and contracting with the Department of Defense.

In 2025, the College Board National Recognition Program offered three awards to students of all backgrounds and across schools nationwide: First-Generation Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award, and, for the first time, the School Recognition Award, to honor top-performing students in every high school, including lesser-known schools.

“We are deeply committed to clearing a path for each and every student to take ownership of their future. We are excited that this program recognizes achievements of students across the country,” said Amy Reitz, senior vice president of BigFuture at College Board. “With the highest participation in the program’s history this year, we are proud to support these students on their future paths.”