Because of their exceptional academic abilities, 27 seventh graders from Effingham County qualified for participation in the Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP) 7th Grade Talent Search, sponsored by Duke University.
Of those 27 students, 25 took the same SAT or ACT test administered to high school students. Four of those test-takers qualified for state recognition and will be invited to a special ceremony to celebrate their exceptional academic performance.
To qualify for state recognition, the students taking the ACT had to have a composite score of 20 or above. Students who took the SAT had to score in the upper 50 percent of all test-takers (including high school students).
The students who qualified for State Recognition are: (from South Effingham Middle School) Jedidiah Bishop with an ACT composite score of 21, Raquel Hazzard with an ACT composite score of 20, and Alyssa Livingston with an SAT composite score of 1380; (from Ebenezer Middle School) Dallas McCorkendale with an SAT composite score of 1480.
Students who scored exceptionally well could also qualify to attend the Duke Center for Summer Studies. The following Effingham County students qualified for this prestigious opportunity: Jedidiah Bishop, SEMS; and Dallas McCorkendale, EMS.
Five students also scored high enough to receive an invitation to the Duke Academy for Summer Studies. They were: (from SEMS) Jordan Feider, Katie Garner, Raquel Hazzard and Alyssa Livingston; and (from EMS) Graeme Young.
In addition to the students listed above, the following also participated in the Duke TIP Talent Search: (from Effingham County Middle School) Ryan Jackson and Tahirah Nimi; (from South Effingham Middle School) Jordan Goomgaarden, Katherine Cope, Haleigh Dorch, Lawanda Fennell, Allison Jodrey, Chantel Lafleur, Ashley Schwartz and Savannah Strojny; (from Ebenezer Middle School) Devony Calaway, Addison Cowart, Chandler Drew, Parker Gordy, Ethan Granstrom, Zane Harrison, Devin Landis, Raj Patel, Kaley Pigman and Samantha Warner.
All of the academically gifted students who participated in the Talent Search will be given opportunities to participate in future enrichment programs at Duke. Duke TIP is a non-profit educational organization that is recognized as a leader in identifying and serving the educational needs of academically gifted youth.
Through identification, recognition, challenging educational programs, information, advocacy and research, Duke TIP provides resources to gifted students, their parents, educators, and schools for the development of the students’ optimal educational potential.
