Granby Students Recognized for Academic Achievements

GRANBY  --  Two Granby students were recently recognized for excellence in academics by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth. 

Kathryn Scotto, a fourth grader at , and Chris Ennis, a seventh grader at , were honored at a ceremony at Central Connecticut State University on Oct. 15.

High-achieving students across the country are identified through the Center for Talented Youth each year, making them eligible for special enrichment courses as well as summer camps.

Scotto and Ennis qualified for the program during the 2010-2011 academic year. After receiving a mandatory minimum score on the Connecticut Mastery Test, they had to take another exam, this one above grade level for verbal and math, for admission into the program. 

Scotto received high honors for the verbal portion of the exam. Her mother, Sara Scotto, said Kathryn is now taking an online, accelerated fourth grade math class as a result of the program.

“I think the math class has been great because as stuff is coming up in school, she’s already a little prepared for it,” Scotto said. 

Kathryn will also be doing an online reading course, after she completes the online math course. 

Sara Scotto said attending the awards ceremony was worthwhile in itself because the students were able to hear from Dr. Kris Larsen, an astronomy professor from Central Connecticut State University.

“She gave a talk about how important math and the sciences are,” Scotto said.  “She spoke about living her childhood dream of being an astronomer.” 

Kathryn said the math program is very rewarding because it tells the student when they get a problem right and plays music. She said the program, which is able to challenge her current abilities, has been helpful.

“In our school system, in kindergarten through second grade, you learn your plus and minus facts but they don’t drill you on them like they do in multiplication,” Kathryn said. “A lot of the kids don’t know a lot of the (early math) facts because they don’t drill them.” 

Kathryn said she enjoyed going to the awards ceremony.

“When you get there, you’re really proud to get that award and it shows that you worked for it,” she said.

Ennis was able to take a three-week robotic camp at Mt. Holyoke College
this past summer through the Center for Talented Youth after qualifying for the program. 

Ennis’ mother, Kelly Ennis, said it was a worthwhile experience.

“Since we don’t have a gifted program, it’s good for him to be with other kids who are pushing themselves in whatever area it is,” Ennis said. “It helps him to know there are kids out there his age who are pushing harder. They built a new robot every day from start to finish.”

The Center for Talented Youth also offers family programs and workshops. Once students in grades three through six take the exam, they are eligible for the programs offered through CTY until they reach seventh grade. In middle school, students must take the exam again.

Seventy-five students in Connecticut were recognized by the Center for Talented Youth at CCSU at the ceremony.