Today is Saturday, February 11, 2012
Today is Saturday, February 11, 2012
GATE students have been identified through tests they took in elementary school or were nominated by a high school teacher at the end of last year. The coordinators mailed letters to those identified as GATE students inviting them to take part in the program on campus.
Although GATE has existed on campus before, it was not active. Messner said that it is the coordinators’ goal to “get it going again” this year.
The coordinators held an introductory meeting on Tuesday, September 29 in the Eagle Theatre during tutorial for any GATE students interested in learning about the program.
The goal of the GATE program at this first stage is to inform students about the program, to point out opportunities for gifted students to apply themselves and get suggestions for possible projects. One such project is a college trip in the spring to tour Ivy League colleges.
Messner said his main task as a coordinator is to “point out opportunities … that are academic but more stimulating than the average high school curriculum.”
Having been in the GATE program when she was in school, Greksouk said that she chose to become involved with GATE because she wanted to work with students like herself.
“It’s always an interesting mixture of students,” Greksouk said. “The high-achiever straight-A students and then the students who are bright but under stimulated.”
Messner became interested in the program for similar reasons.
“I wanted to help students that were getting bored during class or felt like they weren’t being challenged,” Messner said. “That was the case for me when I was in … school.”
Both coordinators said they chose to lead the GATE program because they enjoyed participating in it during their high school years.
Junior Rachel Grate anticipates that being part of GATE will be “an exciting opportunity.”
The coordinators are also eager for the possibilities GATE holds.
“I’m looking forward to a great year,” Messner said.
