TINTON FALLS – Ranney Lower School Student Grace Nivera of Holmdel was recently honored as one of the brightest young students in the nation at a regional awards ceremony for academically advanced children sponsored by The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY).
Grace, one of the youngest awardees, was honored for her exceptional performance on a rigorous, above-grade-level test given to academically talented students in grades 2-8. The test was part of the CTY Talent Search, which focuses on identifying capacity for academic talent.
More than 38,000 students from over 120 countries participated in the CTY Talent Search; only about 30 percent of the test-takers were honored for their academic performance and potential.
The ceremony was held at Rutgers University in late May. Many of the CTY students also qualify for the center’s unique online and summer courses.
Grace’s older brother, Christopher, also participated in CTY in 2012, and was honored for his exceptional performance as a middle school student on the college SAT, ACT or similar test.
Christopher attended Ranney School from pre-K through the eighth grade. He received Ranney’s Ann Kappel Memorial Award in 2013 for demonstrating generosity of spirit and devotion to his fellow students.
“The CTY awards ceremony congratulates students for their academic achievement, and it recognizes the defining roles that parents, educators, and others play in developing the academic talents of our outstanding honorees,” said Elaine Tuttle Hansen, executive director of CTY, in a press release. “For these advanced learners, as with all children, there should be no gap between their capabilities and the opportunities open to them.”
