Montgomery Catholic Announces State Qualifiers for Duke Talent Search

Ella An

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School proudly announces two middle school students who have earned State Recognition for their ACT or SAT scores by the Duke Talent Identification Program.

Haely McBeal

Montgomery Catholic had 24 middle school students who qualified to participate in the Duke TIP Program last fall with two students whose high scores qualified them for state recognition and four who qualified for the Summer Studies & eStudies Programs.

Qualifiers were: Ella An, Amelia Bair, Cooper Beesley, Rocky Blackburn, Stott Blancas, Todd Bonnell, Ben Chitlik, Isaac Dalhart, Harper Howell, Grace Levanda, Haely McBeal, Jamie McGuire, Bebe Neeley, Peter Riello, Matt Russo, Michael Sasser, Maria Schwarz, Isabella Shinn, Ryan Stevenon, Katie Turner, Evie Veres, Heather Walski, Ivory Williams, and Jackson Wright

Montgomery Catholic students who will be honored at the 2021 Duke Talent Search State Recognition Ceremony held at the University of Alabama are Ella An and Haely McBeal. An and McBeal both received invitations to participate in the eStudies and Summer Studies Program along with classmates Cooper Beesley and Grace Levanda.

Duke TIP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving academically gifted and talented students. Duke TIP works with students, their families, and educators to identify, recognize, challenge, engage, and help students reach their highest potential. Now in its fortieth year, the 7th Grade Talent Search identifies bright seventh graders based on standardized test scores achieved while attending elementary or middle school. Candidates are invited to take the ACT or the SAT college entrance exams as seventh graders, which allows them greater insight into their academic abilities. In addition, they gain valuable benefits and have access to unique resources for gifted students.

MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC EDUCATOR SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM READING NEW YORK

Montgomery Catholic High School teacher - Mindy Walski was selected to participate in the College Board’s Annual AP Reading in Computer Science Principles. Each June, AP teachers and college faculty members from around the world gather in the United States to evaluate and score the free-response sections of the AP Exams. AP Readers are high school and college educators who represent many of the world’s leading academic institutions. The AP Reading is a unique forum in which an academic dialogue between educators is both fostered and encouraged. “The Reading draws upon the talents of some of the finest teachers and professors that the world has to offer,” said Trevor Packer, Senior Vice President, AP and Instruction at the College Board. “It fosters professionalism, allows for the exchange of ideas, and strengthens the commitment to students and to teaching. We are very grateful for the contributions of talented educators like Mindy Walski.” 

The Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) enables willing and academically prepared students to pursue college-level studies – with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement or both – while still in high school. Through AP courses in 38 subjects, each culminating in a rigorous exam, students learn to analyze complex problems, construct solid arguments, and see many sides of an issue – skills that prepare them for college and beyond. Research indicates that students who score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam typically experience greater academic success in college and are more likely to earn a college degree than non-AP students.