The Duke University Talent Identification Program Talent Search has recognized 23 pupils at Sperreng Middle School for outstanding test scores.

TIP’s mission is to identify and support academically talented seventh-grade pupils. The pupils are given college entrance tests, either the ACT or SAT, while still in the seventh grade.

Four Sperreng pupils qualified for Grand Level Awards, by scoring at or above 1260 on the SAT Math and Verbal Sections or scoring 28 on the ACT Math or English sections, 30 on ACT Reading, or 27 on ACT Science. The pupils are: Andrew Brimer, Elliott Kohl, Jonathan Morris and Alexandra Raeber. These pupils are in the top 2 percent of the talent search pool, which is a highly selective group of pupils.

Pupils qualifying for State Recognition are in the top 25 percent of the talent search pool and achieved scores of at least 510 on SAT Math or Verbal, or 500 on both; or 20 on ACT Math or English, 21 on ACT Reading or 21 on ACT Science. The pupils are: Miriam Efken, Andrew Fendler, David Gaynor, Kristina Glenn, Taylor Hawkins, Garret Johns, Daniel Leimberg, Andrew Lorey, Leah McColgan, Michael Merriman, Margaret Nestor, Mitchell Noce, Kate Nolan, Eric Pashia, Douglas Purvis, Rodery Riney, Shelby Rudolph, James Skouby, and Megan Venable Byrd.

The Grand Recognition winners were honored May 17 at Duke University, Durham, N.C. The pupils will be recognized at an awards ceremony Friday, May 28, at Drury University in Springfield.