Julie Pratt, the Advanced Academics & Counseling Coordinator for Frenship, said during a non-COVID year the Superintendent Select ceremonies look at little bit different.
“We typically host a luncheon with all the students and their guests at their campus,” Pratt said. “High school seniors who attended that middle school speak about what they wish they would have known about high school when they were in the eighth grade, and just share their tips and wisdom. Then Dr. McCord speaks, each student is called up individually, and they are given a certificate with a photo op with Dr. McCord.”
Pratt said this year the District agreed that they still wanted to do something special for these elite students.
“This year we still had Dr. McCord speak,” Pratt said. “We handed out certificates and took pictures. We created slide shows to put on each campus website for parents to have access to pictures. There was no hand shaking, masks were worn by everyone, and there was no meal or guests.”
Pratt said she believes the ceremonies were still very successful. She said she hopes that it got these students thinking about high school.
“Superintendent Select students are also eligible to enroll in the Gifted and Talented (GT) sections of core subjects in ninth and tenth grades even if they are not currently GT,” Pratt said. “This is a special event to recognize their hard work by the Superintendent, and that’s a big deal to students and parents. The STAAR test isn’t one you just study for, but a test that students work hard all year in their classes to learn and prepare for in order to be successful. It’s a recognition not only of academic achievement but work ethic and character as well.”
Emily Parker, Terra Vista Middle School Campus Intervention Specialist and Testing Coordinator, said this honor follows students. She said she encourages them to put it on applications for college, jobs and scholarships.
“Superintendent Select is an incredible honor and program to be a part of,” Parker said. “There are several aspects that can be celebrated from STAAR testing, and this is one that highlights academic strengths in our students. I believe the program motivates students to continue working hard and stretching their minds. It celebrates their achievement and encourages them to set goals and focus for the next opportunity to display their knowledge.”
Frenship Superintendent, Dr. Michelle McCord said, she believes this honor helps build a student’s confidence.
“These students are top academic performers,” McCord said. “I hope this recognition encourages our students to continue cultivating productive habits that enhance their academic talents. In addition, my prayer is that students begin to see themselves as the leaders they are becoming.”