El Camino High School senior Maya Thompson ('24) has won entrance to the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame.
She will be inducted at 4:00 PM on March 8, International Women's Day, in a ceremony at Skyline College's Farallon Room alongside five other individuals.
"Maya was honored in part for her extensive community service," said El Camino High Principal James Briano. "She currently volunteers for Cancer Kids First and helps Ukrainian students learn English through an online tutoring program called Project Speak Together, while holding down a part-time job teaching gymnastics to preschool children."
In August 2023, Thompson also received a National African American Recognition Award (NAARA) from the College Board for her strong performance on the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) and Advanced Placement (AP) exams.
NAARA recipients must maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher and also: (1) score in the top 10% of the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) in their state or (2) earn a score of three or higher on two or more AP exams in 9th and 10th grade.
Scoring in the top 10% of the PSAT in one’s state as a high school sophomore is the most common pathway to becoming a National Merit Scholar.
"We are very excited to honor four extraordinary women and two youth at our Women's Hall of Fame," said Susan Kokores, president of the San Mateo County Commission on the Status of Women (SMCCSW). "This iconic event is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and we are thrilled to recognize the talents, contributions, and vision of these women who improve and strengthen the community for all of us."
SMCCSW is an advisory body to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.
Women's Hall of Fame honorees are nominated by individuals or organizations in San Mateo County and selected by a panel of prominent Bay Area residents who review nominations using an anonymous screening process.