By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA – Reese Unnoppet, a fourth-grade student at Prince of Peace Catholic School in Hoover, has been invited to join the Duke University Talent Identification Program’s prestigious 4th–6th Grade Talent Search.

Each year, a select group of academically talented students in the United States are identified as academically gifted based on their exceptional grade-level standardized test scores at or above the 95th percentile will qualify. Those students are invited to participate in the 4th–6th Grade Talent Search and take the optional PSAT 8/9, which is designed for eighth and ninth graders.

The Duke TIP is a nonprofit educational organization that is recognized as a leader in identifying and serving the educational needs of academically gifted youth. Through identification, recognition, challenging educational programs, information, advocacy and research, Duke TIP provides resources to gifted students, their parents, educators and schools to help gifted scholars reach their full academic potential.

Taking an above-grade-level test is an experience that allows these gifted fourth, fifth and sixth graders to more accurately gauge their academic abilities and potential, as they need more advanced examinations than they find in their grade level.

Participants in the 4th–6th Grade Talent Search also receive a variety of support services and gain access to research and other information about using their academic abilities more effectively.

Reese Unnoppet is the daughter of Dr. Nop and Sonya Unnoppet of Helena.

For more on Duke TIP talent searches, including qualification requirements for its 4th–6th Grade Talent Search and 7th Grade Talent Search, visit Tip.duke.edu.