Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

5/6/2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES- The ADVANCE Program for Young Scholars at Northwestern State University and Duke University's Talent Identification Program (TIP) will sponsor a recognition ceremony to honor some of Louisiana's most academically able seventh-graders. The ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 17 at Prather Coliseum on NSU's Natchitoches campus.

"Northwestern is proud to host the ADVANCE Program, which is the only Duke collaborative program in Louisiana, and the annual recognition ceremony," said NSU president Dr. Randall J. Webb. "It is a wonderful way to promote academic excellence and introduce these students to our outstanding university."

All students invited to attend the ceremony scored as well or better than the average college-bound high school senior on either the American College Testing Assessment (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). These college level tests were administered as part of an annual Duke University Talent Search.

"I am pleased to see special recognition given to our best and brightest students. These youngsters represent the future of our state and nation," said Dr. David Wood, director of the ADVANCE Program for Young Scholars. "It is important that efforts like ADVANCE and TIP work collaboratively in the identification and education of our most important national resource, intellectual talent."

TIP's Talent Search identifies seventh-graders in 16 states who have scored in the top five percent on a national achievement test. Students participate by taking either the ACT or the SAT. Talent Search participants receive a variety of educational materials and publications. A results summary and counseling guide help students interpret their scores and provide suggestions for using their ability more effectively. TIP's publications help students find out more about academic opportunities and about the needs and interests of people like themselves.

The ADVANCE Program for Young Scholars offers a challenging and rewarding curriculum designed to broaden the horizons of the best students in the state and region. The program combines the need to improve academically with the desire to spend the summer break in the traditional way---having fun.

During the three-week program, students enroll in one intensive fast-paced course that normally covers an entire year's worth of high school material or a semester of college level material. Classes will typically consist of 10 ­ 15 students and the instructors are a talented and diverse group.

The residential life portion of ADVANCE is an equally important aspect of the program, offering balanced leisure and cultural activities to complement the intensive academic curriculum. The residential staff organizes a wide array of extracurricular activities to suit almost any taste.

Parents, students, and teachers interested in the ADVANCE Program for Young Scholars at Northwestern State University may telephone (318) 357-4500, e-mail palmerh@nsula.edu, or visit www.advanceprogram.org.

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