Sixteen current GPS eighth graders qualified last spring for State Recognition in the 2008-09 Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP). Over half of their classmates, by virtue of their standardized test scores, were eligible to participate in the program. State Recognition candidates included Anne Elizabeth Bailey, Madison Bratcher, Anna Carroll, Peyton Costa, Macy Cox, Lauchlan Davis, Rebecca Jenkins, Jacqueline Kliner, Taylor Pels, Ashley Christenson Ramsey, Christian Shaheen, Bonnie St. Charles, Caroline Stitts, Jaimie Thompson, Madison Ward, and Lucy Whitfield.

This fall, 32 GPS seventh graders have scored in the 95^th percentile on a grade-level achievement test and been invited to take the ACT or SAT test as part of the Duke TIP 2009-10 program. Those whose scores enable them to take advantage of the opportunity for enhanced learning experiences are Rebecca Baker, Chelsea Berghorn, Nicole Blohm, Angela Bonds, Carly Bourne, Savannah Camp, Anjali Chandra, Ayda Fisher, Ragan Foley, April Forsthoffer, Alex George, Rebecca Goodrich, Mary Claire Graham, Sarah Jane Green, MacKenzie Hobbs, Najia Humayun, Maddie Logan, Katie McDougal, Hannah Mills, Anina Mu, Hira Munir, Anna Claire Pierce, Olivia Ray, Lindsey Rufolo, Nia Sanders, Grace Sanford, Cami Shands, Hannah Thel, Katherine Ward, Anne Miller Welborn, Savannah Williams, and Meg Winchester.

The Duke TIP is a non-profit that identifies academically talented students and offers them a variety of resources for unique educational opportunities, including summer courses, field studies, scholar weekends, and distance or at-home learning programs. According to GPS Middle School Principal Elaine Milazzo, “The classes of 2014 and 2015 are very talented in all areas. I am pleased that these young women bring their gifts to our school community.”