SMS, JMS Students Selected for Prestigious Belin-Blank Summer Institute
Each year, teachers in the Johnston Community School District nominate a number of students to attend the Belin-Blank Summer Institute for the Arts & Sciences, a week-long residential summer program held at The University of Iowa for 120 of Iowa’s gifted students who are currently in grades seven and eight.
The Institute provides exceptionally talented students from across the state of Iowa with an intensive and advanced educational experience designed to enhance their intellectual and social growth. There are eight specific program areas for students to experience while at the summer institute.
Each student who is chosen to attend the Belin-Blank Summer Institute receives a partial program scholarship, as well as a scholarship towards future admission at the University of Iowa. The students work with specialists in the chosen area and have an opportunity to take advantage of many opportunities on campus. Congratulations to these students!
Eighth grade students who were selected from Johnston Middle School as participants for this year’s University of Iowa’s Belin-Blank Summer Institute include the following:
- Ryan Freidhoff: Math Problem Solving
- Mikayla Lies: Creative Writing
- Kathryn Christy: Social Sciences
- Catreena Wang: Global/Cultural
- Riley Anderson: Visual Arts
- Megan Jones was an alternate in Advanced Science category and Kyle Lastine an alternate in Invention and Innovation.
Seventh graders from Summit Middle School who were selected include the following:
- Emma Dummermuth: Advanced Science
- Katie Sweet: Global & Cultural Studies
- Ellie Lashier: Social Sciences
- Elise Henrichsen: Creative Writing
- Ainsley Proctor: Visual Arts