The Educational Talent Search held its Excellent Achievement Awards program on Thursday at Wallace Community College-Selma.

Twenty-two students from different schools in Dallas County were recognized for making the A honor roll.

Senior Kelenthia Mitchell and freshman Shikeria Fails of Dallas County High School and seventh-grader Tamara Jones and sixth-grader Paige Mingo of Keith Middle Schools were the only students who attended and received certificates for their achievement from Sabrena Fulford.

Clifford O. Hunter of the Selma Career Center was the guest speaker. Hunter, a former member of the Educational Talent Search and 1994 graduate of Keith High School, spoke to the students about the “Challenge to Excel.”

“I wasn’t an all A student, but I wanted better for myself,” Hunter said. “I had to prepare myself and stay focused. I had great people that believed in me, supported me and helped pushed me to greatness.”

Hunter, who has worked at the Selma Career Center for 21 years, told the honor students that their opportunity for success would come in the future.

“Making all A’s is not easy, it takes a lot of hard work and studying,” Hunter said. “Keep doing what you’re doing.  “The sky’s the limit for you. Greatness has your name on it. A scholarship has your name on it.”

Educational Talent Acting Director Corey Bowie said the organization’s purpose is for the students to graduate from high school and enroll in college. Bowie praised the group’s dedication to make the all A honor roll.

Here are the other honorees who didn’t attend the ceremony:

Dallas County: Madelyn Epperson, Kamora Tilton, Steven Do, Alicia Jackson, Nikierra Tabb and Andrea Smith.

Martin Middle School: Mary Meeks.

R.B. Hudson Middle School: Austin Reeves and Samantha Relph.

School of Discovery: Mariyah Jones, Ariana Rutledge and Katherine Stevenson.

Tipton Middle School: Jayden Acoff, Tonailla Atkins, Hariauna Gresham and Asia Leech.

Keith High-Middle School: Aamiah Milhouse, Shania Moore.