Cherokee Students Receive State Honors For Duke TIP

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — Seventeen Cherokee County School District students have been recognized by Duke University for their SAT and ACT scores that they earned last school year as seventh-graders.

The Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP) supports academically talented seventh-graders who have previously scored at or above the 95th percentile on a standardized test such as CogAT by providing them with the opportunity to take the SAT and ACT, which are college-entrance exams designed for above-average 11th- and 12th-grade students.

This year, 108 Cherokee County students participated in the program, with 17 students earning state honors, and one of those students - Luke Barber of Dean Rusk Middle School - additionally earned grand-level recognition.

“The SAT and ACT are challenging exams for our high school students, so it’s especially impressive that these middle school students have earned statewide recognition for their scores,” Superintendent Brian Hightower said. “We’re very proud of their academic success and look forward to all they will accomplish this year as eighth-graders and when they begin their high school careers.”

The state and grand winners, who are honored at a Duke University Recognition Ceremony, also were congratulated by the Cherokee County School Board and Superintendent of Schools through a virtual recognition at a school board meeting.

The Cherokee County state-level honorees are:

• Creekland Middle School
  • Lillian Abdinoor
  • Mackinsey Candelario
• Dean Rusk Middle School
  • Luke Barber
  • Elizabeth Hatch
  • Addison Herring
  • Jack McFadin
  • Walker Stone
  • Max Swain
• E.T. Booth Middle School
  • Haylee Castens
• Freedom Middle School
  • Jessica Hunter
  • Chase Landmesser
• Mill Creek Middle School
  • Leah Orr
• Teasley Middle School
  • Martin Armbruster
  • Kate Hamilton
  • Avery Kesler
  • Kaitlyn Lawrence
• Woodstock Middle School
  • Noah Richards