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At the 2018 North Carolina Association for the Gifted and Talented (NCAGT) Institute on “Pulling Together: Reaching All Gifted Learners”, teachers, parents, administrators, university personnel and other interested professionals had the opportunity to explore the social and emotional needs, effective identification practices, and instructional methodologies for reaching children from underrepresented populations. The Keynote address was provided by Dr. William A. Darity, Jr, a professor of Public Policy, African and African American Studies, and Economics and the Director of the Center on Social Equity at Duke University. Dibrelle Tourret, Executive Director of Academically Gifted Services, and her staff attended the NCAGT Institute and had the pleasure of congratulating two GCS students who received state recognition:
Emily Phillips, a sixth grader at Kiser Middle School, received the Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award, which recognizes distinguished achievement in academics, leadership, or the arts in children grades 3 through 6. She is a self-taught ukulele player who is active in her church and youth outreach group and participates in academic and leadership opportunities such as Battle of the Books, the PTA Reflections Program, Girls World Expo, and Safety Patrol. Recently, Emily used her talents to raise over $1,000 to benefit educational programming at Kiser Middle School. Emily’s AG teacher says that she demonstrates the ability to answer Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s most persistent and urgent question, “What are you doing for others?”
Kayla Jackson, a fifth grade student at Alamance Elementary School, received the Susan Keel Lamar Scholarship, which recognizes distinguished student achievement and leadership in the area of visual or performing arts. Through her involvement in Girl Scouts, Kayla has used creativity and leadership to conduct independent service projects in her community. Recently, she brought the joy of music and arts to residents of a local nursing home through piano performances and hand-made cards of encouragement. Kayla sees her artistic passions as a “pathway to communicate with people of different backgrounds in a language that transcends differences in languages and cultures” and hopes to continue to positively impact others in the future.
