Owensboro High School has been named one of only 26 schools nationwide — and the only one in Kentucky — to receive the School of Excellence Award from ACT’s American College Application Campaign (ACAC), a national initiative aimed at increasing college access for first-generation and under-resourced students.
The recognition highlights OHS’s commitment to guiding students through the college application process, particularly those who may not have considered higher education an option. Ryun Schienbein, the school’s College and Career Coach, said the award reflects years of intentional work to make college more accessible and less intimidating for all students.
“One thing we do is invite colleges and universities to host events during the school day,” Schienbein said. “At these events, they agree to waive their normal application fee if a student applies that day. Most of our seniors have after-school jobs or participate in sports and other activities, so having time during the school day dedicated to their postsecondary planning really helps them.”
For many OHS students, especially those who are the first in their families to consider college, the process can feel overwhelming. That’s where Schienbein and his team step in.
“A major factor in supporting first-generation students are the many college campus visits we make throughout the year,” he said. “It’s very helpful for students to experience firsthand what the campuses are like. We also do several parent and family nights throughout the year where we talk in detail about financial aid, and in partnership with KHEAA, offer assistance with processing the forms.”
That kind of accessibility is at the heart of ACAC’s mission. Since its launch in 2005, the campaign has reached more than 5 million students across the country. In 2024 alone, more than 5,800 high schools hosted college application events where students submitted over 1.3 million applications.
ACT CEO Janet Godwin praised this year’s award recipients for making the college application process more accessible and empowering students to pursue their goals.
“These schools are making the college application process more accessible and less intimidating, ensuring that more students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue higher education,” Godwin said. “We are honored to celebrate their commitment to student success.”
Looking ahead, Schienbein said OHS will continue to evolve its approach to college and career readiness, with a focus on expanding students’ understanding of postsecondary options.
“We are always looking to update the definition of ‘college,’” he said. “It isn’t just a four-year degree anymore. We have an amazing range of certification programs as well as apprenticeships in our state, many of them local. Most of our students are far more interested in a career than attending a particular school. Making sure they are aware of all the avenues they can take to get where they’d like to be is a priority.”
