Nearly 550 La Crosse high school students will be recognized tonight by the La Crosse School Board for their academic successes. The 24th annual Academic Achievement Recognition Ceremony will be at 6:30 p.m. in the Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre, 815 Ninth St. S. Each fall, sophomores, junior and seniors from Central, Logan and LaCrossroads high schools who achieved a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher the preceding year are recognized and awarded by the school board. This year, 543 students will be recognized.

Central High School student Iris Mayer and Logan High School student Ryan Garson have been selected to speak on behalf of their school. Teachers Colleen Jarchow and Kathy Hawkins were chosen by these students as making a significant difference in their lives and also will address the audience. Honored students, parents and guests are invited to attend the ceremony that will be followed by an ice cream social.

Students are eligible to receive the award for their academic achievement during their freshman, sophomore and junior years. Recipients are awarded an academic letter (similar to a co-curricular letter) the first year, a lamp of knowledge pin the second year and a bar the third year. Each qualifying student also receives an Academic Achievement Certificate.