Students from Carroll Middle School and Dawson Middle School participated in Duke University Talent Identification Program’s (Duke TIP) 7th Grade Talent Search this spring.

The Duke TIP dentifies students across the United States who have scored at or above the 95th percentile on a grade-level achievement test. As part of the program, these academically talented students take above-level college-entrance exams (ACT or SAT) to learn more about their abilities.

Duke TIP hosts annual recognition ceremonies to honor the seventh graders who score highest on these ACT or SAT exams. This year, of the over 64,896 participants nationally, 21,775 students have been invited to attend state recognition ceremonies and 1,894 students have been invited to the grand recognition ceremony.

This year, 76 Carroll ISD seventh grade students participated in the Duke TIP. 53 Carroll ISD students qualified for State Recognition, 3 qualified for Grand Recognition, 22 qualified for Academy for Summer Studies and 38 qualified for Center for Summer Studies. One seventh grader received a perfect math score.

“As seventh graders, these students have achieved scores on the ACT or SAT rivaling those of half of college-bound seniors who took the tests. We are extremely proud of our ceremonies honorees, and we appreciate the opportunity to celebrate their achievement and encourage them in their academic potential,” says Martha Putallaz, PhD, executive director of Duke TIP and professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University.

Working with host academic institutions, Duke TIP sponsors 36 ceremonies in 16 states during the months of May and June. Speakers include university administrators and professors from the host institutions, state and government officials, and accomplished former Duke TIP students.

The grand recognition ceremony honors seventh graders who have earned scores equal to or better than 90 percent of college-bound seniors who took the same tests. The event will be held May 19 at Cameron Indoor Stadium on the Duke University campus in Durham, North Carolina. Mary-Dell Chilton, PhD, of Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc., will be this year’s keynote speaker.

Also at the ceremony, TIP will honor its 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award winners for their accomplishments in their respective fields.

Anne Harkavy, JD; Rachel Newcomb, PhD; and Alex Rampell will receive awards. Anne Harkavy is the Deputy General Counsel for Litigation and Enforcement with the U.S. Department of Energy. Anne serves as legal counsel representing the Department and helping to enforce mandates to ensure manufacturers deliver products that meet energy and water conservation requirements. Rachel Newcomb is an associate professor of Anthropology and Diane and Michael Maher Professor of Distinguished Teaching at Rollins College. Rachel has written multiple scholarly articles on issues ranging from marriage and reproductive rights of women to the role of non-governmental organizations in the advancement of women’s rights in North Africa. Alex Rampell is an entrepreneur and investor in Silicon Valley. Alex is founder and CEO of TrialPay.

Click here for more information about the program.