ALABASTER – Alabaster City Schools student Audrey Green received national recognition at Duke University for after performing exceptionally well on the ACT’s reading subtest.

Audrey Green’s hard work was also rewarded at an Alabaster City Council meeting on Monday, Aug. 5. Green, an upcoming eighth grader at Thompson Middle School, was presented with the Challenge Coin by Mayor Marty Handlon.

“There is no secret to success,” Handlon said. “Success is the result of preparation and hard work. The Lord has given you a keen mind and you are going to do great things with it. On behalf of the city of Alabaster, please accept this Challenge Coin to serve as a reminder that your city is cheering you on.”

Last school year as a seventh grader, Green was invited to take the ACT as a part of Duke University’s Talent Identification Program. She earned a composite score of 23, which is impressive itself, but that’s not what the program focuses on. The program recognizes students based on how well they scored on the ACT subtests – math, English, reading and science. Green scored 33 on the reading subtest.

Her achievement earned her an invitation to Duke University to be recognized at the Grand Recognition Ceremony. In addition to being invited to the ceremony, participants were invited to attend workshops to learn what the next steps are and how this program can help them in the future.

Attendees learned more about the various Duke TIP opportunities and resources available to them, and explored options for face-to-face and online learning that include summer experiences, distance learning and academic year programming.

As Green transitions to middle school, she will be a member of the National Junior Honor Society, a Peer Helper and a mentor at the Warrior Center. She is also a member of FBLA.

She also keeps busy outside of school. She is a worship leader with the faith-based nonprofit First Priority, a competitive dancer with Joy’s Dance Company and a member of the youth group at First Baptist Church.

To be eligible for Duke TIP, students must have scored above the 95^th percentile on a state assessment or above the 95^th national percentile on an accepted grade-level national standardized test anytime in the past two years. Scoring 125 or above on an accepted IQ test is also acceptable. The program provides opportunities for students in fourth through 12^th grade.

Enrollment in the program provides benefits such as the opportunity to take the ACT or SAT, college preparation advice, specialized publications and access to educational programs.