Eastside High School students Justin Stafford and Byron Lewis have a message for any of their fellow high school seniors who are tempted to slack off this school year—don’t.

They certainly haven’t. Both are working hard this year academically to prepare themselves for college. And fortunately, both already have a leg up on the competition. Justin and Byron were recently named National Achievement Scholarship semifinalists by the College Board, which administers the SAT and other college entrance exams. That means the two scored in the top 1% of African-American high school students in Florida on the Preliminary SAT/National Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). They are now qualified to become finalists in the program and earn the scholarships that are available to the nation’s top African-American students.

EHS principal Jeff Charbonnet says their high scores are more than a matter of intelligence.

“It has a whole lot to do with hard work,” he said. “They had a commitment to do well in school and it’s shown in their achievement.”

Justin is a student in Eastside’s rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) program, and is taking a full load of high-level courses this year. He’s also involved with the school’s Brain Bowl team and is working with some fellow students to start up a mock trial club. He spends most weekends with other members of his church tutoring students from a low-income neighborhood in reading.

“I know it’s a good thing to help other people, and I know I’d want other people helping me if I were in that situation,” he said. “I’m happy to spend my free time giving back to the community.”

Byron is working hard this year juggling his school work and an after school job. He spends a lot of time working on computers, and says that’s what he plans to study in college. He credits his high score on the PSAT to the extra work he and his teachers put in both during and after school to prepare him for the exam, and says he’s now determined to put even more effort into his schoolwork this year to ensure he’s ready for college.

“The stakes are higher now,” he said. “Because of my score, I’m definitely going to college, so I’m really getting down to work this year.”

Both Justin and Byron said that there are students who don’t respect academic achievement, but that they don’t let it affect them.

“You have to set your own standards if you’re going to succeed,” said Justin. “If I can achieve, maybe I can be a positive role-model for other African-American students.”

And what advice does Byron have for his fellow seniors?

“I’d tell them to get down to their work and plan on going to college,” he said. “Don’t slack off because it’s your senior year. Do more work and get better grades.”