DATE: Thursday, July 31, 1997               TAG: 9707290136

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 18   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY FELICIA PAGE, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   56 lines

JUNIOR UNIVERSITY FOR THE GIFTED

Five hundred rising sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders from Norfolk Public Schools recently participated in Junior University, a summer learning program held at Ruffner Middle School in Norfolk. Junior University is a free summer enrichment program for gifted youth that prepares them for advanced courses, the Talent Identification Programs and the National Merit Scholarship program. The five-week course ended last Thursday.

Selection of students is based on the subtests of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. Those who scored in the top 95 percentile are eligible to attend.

``What I like so much about this program is seeing so much rigorous learning at such high standards,'' said Andrea P. Tottossy, who coordinated the program for the first time.

Prior to being coordinator of Junior University, Tottossy was coordinator for the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills at Rosemont Middle School.

``There, I was working with kids that didn't pass the test,'' she explained. ``It was a big adjustment.''

At Junior University the gifted students take classes in communication skills, Latin, video production, environmental science and mathematics.

Vickie Easley taught a sixth-grade Latin class. She said her aim was to get her students to appreciate the Greek and Roman culture. They learned various letters, numbers and terms and studied the clothing and architecture.

``This program tells the kids they're special, they're smart and to get on the college track,'' Easley explained, while watching her toga-dressed kids make illustrated posters of Latin mottos.

Kenneth Williamson, a 13-year-old rising freshman at Maury High School, volunteered as Easely's student assistant. By helping out, he'll receive half a credit toward graduation. He is also a former three-year student of Junior University.

``Being in Junior University helped me with my college choice and to develop patience and leadership skills,'' Kenneth said.

No tests are administered to quiz the kids' knowledge; only assessments to guide and enable them with career choices and study habits.

There are also guidance counselors on hand to assist the pupils with any problems they may run into.

``The great thing about this program is watching teachers enjoy teaching and kids enjoy learning,'' reflected Susan Stahley, a guidance counselor who is based at Norview.

Throughout the five weeks, the pupils were busy outside the classroom. The sixth-graders toured the Virginia Science Museum and Hampton University, the seventh graders visited the Virginia Air and Space Center and the College of William and Mary and the eighth graders went to Tangier Island and Old Dominion University. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by NHAT MEYER

Joshua Gruber, 11, pretends he's in Rome and he and other classmates

don togas for Vickie Easley's Latin class. The students are

attending the summer program for gifted students, held at Ruffner

Middle School.

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