Breaths lingering in the air, lanyards in hand and an anticipation to quickly step inside the warm cafeteria, students patiently waited in line to get inside. Inside they were provided with a variety of delicious donuts, milk, tea, water and coffee. As they slowly took their seats, chatting with some friends along the way, the annual Advanced Placement (AP) Breakfast commenced.

Starting in 2000, the AP Breakfast is a day to reward the students who have gone through the rigor and difficulty of an advanced class. The event was hosted by the AP coordinator, Mr. Robert James, and it was attended by the many AP teachers in our school. The breakfast started off with a special thanks to all the superintendents, board members, principals, counselors, support staff and AP teachers. While reading the AP Highlights, Mr. James noted that our district has a 69.1% passing rate which beats the global rate of 60.3% by about 9%. When asked about what made him come up with the idea of an AP breakfast, James said, “to have at least one academic recognition.” Being an AP teacher himself, James feels sympathetic towards the students who have to go through all the hardships in these advanced classes. “[The AP Breakfast] has two purposes actually, to present awards and to notify AP students of exam dates and registration,” said James.

A certificate for the AP scholars whether they were alumni or current students was passed out. Awards such as AP scholars with distinction which was given to people with an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and grades of three or higher on five or more of the exams. AP scholar with honor was given to people with an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and grades of three or higher on four or more of the exams. AP scholars was given to people who received grades of three or higher on three or more of the exams. One of the alumna, Alyssa Febre, was an AP scholar who also received an award for her hard work. When asked on what motivated her to take AP classes, Febre said, “I wanted to be prepared for the rigor of college courses, and I also wanted to earn AP credits so I could skip classes.”

A current student in our school who is an AP Scholar with Honors is senior Jasmine Jaring Angeles. “I advise students to concentrate more in class. Class time is important for students’ preparation for AP exams, but it’s also a good idea for students to seek teachers’ help after school. I believe that if students put hard work and effort in their AP classes, then there should be good results in their exams. Also, I advise students to plan ahead studying for AP exams because there is more information that students will remember if they study gradually than cramming information the night before,” said Angeles.

Senior Madusha Goonesekera received the award for AP scholar with distinction for scoring a three or higher on five or more of the exams. When asked on what the best part of the AP program is, Goonesekera said, “It’s opportunities. These are college level classes, and they’re not easy, but having that opportunity to excel earlier is a great one to have. Not only do you learn college level material, but it prepares you for college all while giving a grade point boost (which is awesome) and a chance to advance in college if you pass the AP test.”

Overall the AP breakfast was a way to show appreciation to all the students who have taken an AP course and an encouragement to take it again the following year. “Everyone seems to enjoy it,” said James. With that being said, the AP Breakfast ended by the ring of a bell, not to be presented again till next year for the upcoming AP scholars and students to be.