Fifteen seventh-grade students in the Newton County School System have qualified for State Recognition in the Duke University Talent Identification Program for their performance on either the SAT or ACT, and several others qualified for the Academy for the Summer Studies program.
Each year, seventh-grade students in Duke University’s 16-state talent search region are selected to participate in the prestigious program.
School counselors, teachers and administrators help Duke University identify academically talented students for consideration.
Once their application is approved, the students are given the opportunity to take either the SAT or ACT college entrance exam. In order to receive state level recognition, students must meet one of the following criteria:
ACT
• ACT English, 20 or higher
• ACT Math, 20 or higher
• ACT Reading, 21 or higher
• ACT Science, 21 or higher
* Or with three of the four following scores: English, 19; Math, 19; Reading, 20; Science, 20
SAT
• SAT Math, 520 or higher
• SAT Critical Reading, 510 or higher
• SAT Writing,≥ 500 or higher
*Or with two of the three following scores: Math, 510; Critical Reading, 500; Writing, 490.
Clements Middle School students Jamarien Baker, Danielle Egner, Diana Vo and Josiah Webb; Cousins Middle School students Laurel Freeman, Andy Li, Gabrielle Martin, Randy Pitts, and Stevauney Samuels; Indian Creek Middle School students Elizabeth Baker, Jessica Books and Theresa Dixon; and Newton County Theme School at Ficquett students Ralph Brown, Benny Chism and Savannah Miller all earned state level recognition.
These students have been invited to the state recognition ceremony at the University of West Georgia on June 5, where they will receive a medal for their achievement.
“We’re proud of their focus, their commitments and their leadership skills,” said J. Pennington, Ph.D., Clements Middle School seventh and eighth grade counselor, and Duke TIP coordinator. “These are students who are always leading by example in our school and are sure to do well in their future endeavors.”
Seven additional seventh graders met the criteria for the Academy for Summer Studies but not state recognition.
Cousins Middle School students Fatima Alarcon and Quinten Byrne; Indian Creek Middle School Nyjah Gee; and Newton County Theme School at Ficquett students Hayden Gilreath, Joshua O’Brien, Isabelle Rogers and Payton Thompson.
“I was happy to see that so many of our seventh graders earned state recognition for their performance on the ACT, a test that measures subject area content, and the SAT, a test that measures scholastic aptitude,” said Samantha Fuhrey, deputy superintendent for curriculum and instruction. “It’s impressive when seventh graders perform so well on a test designed to be taken by 11th and 12th graders. Congratulations to these students on their outstanding performance.”
