BAY MINETTE — Bay Minette Middle School gave a pat on the back to their students and teachers Nov. 18 and recognized 59 students who are now eligible for the Duke University Talent Identification Program.

“It’s just phenomenal,” counselor Kim Chaplauske declared. “Out of 300 students, 59 of them were eligible for this program.”

To be eligible for the program, students had to score in the 95th percentile or above on at least one subtest of the Stanford Achievement Test. Many of the student recognized scored higher on several of the subtests.

The seventh-grade talent search identifies academically gifted students and invites them to complete college entrance examinations — ACT or SAT — alongside high school students.

The students are recognized for their test scores, provided with information about their abilities and introduced to a network of academic opportunities and resources available to them.

“It is amazing and we are so proud of their accomplishments,” Principal Tammie Fleming said.

 “I must give credit to our new seventh grade counselor, Ms. Kim

Chaplauske for her leadership in identifying the students,” Fleming said. “If it was not for her, the students would not have gotten the recognition they deserve. Ms. Chaplauske reviewed every seventh grade student's cumulative folder to seek out and analyze SAT test results. It was time consuming but well worth the effort.”

Fleming said Chaplauske’s goal was to identify students who scored in the 95th percentile or

above in any subject area on the SAT within the past two  years.

“Those students will take either the ACT or SAT, and then be given support materials and information to guide them throughout high school and into college,” Fleming said. “As educators, we must take every opportunity to showcase our students and place them on a pedestal of recognition.”

TIP students recognized Tuesday and their test scores were Alexandria Adams, James Bender, Allison Blackmon, Mason Boutwell, Joseph Buie, Brittany Byrd, Jaquise Caldwell, Lane Chatham, Jared Constantine, David Cooper, Morgan Covington, Bria Cox, Korrina Cox, Emily Creasey, Olivia DeMouy, Clayton Dickman, Erin Donoghue, Destiny Downey, Megan Duncan, Josie Golden, Justin Graham, Emily Hadley, Summer Harrelson, Mica Herrin, Lindsey Holly, James Jackson, Dylan Johnson, Katherine Johnstone, Tiera Lamkin, Nathaniel Legrone, Ian McCuen, Haley McElhenney, Anniestacia Miskel, Chelsey Mitchem, Mary Mosley, Jacob Moss, Aaron Paulk, Brittani Peacock, Kyle Phillips, Brandon Pimperl, Colton Rider, Mallory Rivers, O Meika Robinson, Darnickka Smith, Sharrickka Smith, Schueler Stevens, Tucker Stewart, Jeremiah Summerlin, Demarcus Tyson, Dylan Vines, Danielle Watkins, Alan Watts, Sarah Weatherford, Melissa Webb, Alanah White,  Robin White, Raekwon Williams, Tyler Williams and Tristan Young.