Pine Island student among tops in state recognized for academic excellence

BALTIMORE — Tabatha Felter, a student from Pine Island, was recently honored at a statewide awards ceremony for gifted children held by The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth. Tabatha was invited to this awards ceremony based on an exceptional performance on a rigorous, above-grade-level test given to second through eighth grade Talent Search participants. Seventh and eighth graders took the SAT or ACT-the same tests used for college admissions. Second through sixth graders took the SCAT, an above-level test scaled for younger students. Since 1979, the Center for Talented Youth has sought the most academically able elementary- and middle-school students, encouraging their enrollment in the annual fall Talent Search, open September through November. Students then test in December or January. The results of these tests give families a better idea of a child’s academic talents, particularly in comparison to the thousands of other academically talented students in the Talent Search. Students can also earn recognition at the program’s awards ceremonies and their test scores may qualify them for the Center’s summer programs and distance education courses. Tabatha Felter, who is home-schooled, joined other award recipients at the recent state ceremony and was individually honored by Johns Hopkins for her academic performance and promise. “In hosting these awards ceremonies, we want these bright children to have their day in the limelight for their academic talent and to celebrate their abilities, just as we celebrate excellence in athletics or the performing arts,” said Lea Ybarra, Ph.D., executive director. “Many students recognized at our awards ceremonies already know that ‘being smart is being cool.’ But there are others for whom their abilities come as a surprise to them and their families. Ybarra also credits parents and educators for sharing in the honored students’ accomplishments. New York’s 2007 Awards Ceremonies were scheduled at SUNY Stonybrook, SUNY New Paltz and the University of Rochester on June 2; Union College on June 9; and Sarah Lawrence College on June 16.