MONROE - Artifact excavation. Cryptology. Meteorology. Invention. Recipients of the Monroe school district's Gifted and Talented scholarships pursued these topics and more in enrichment activities outside of school.
Students anywhere from second grade through high school are eligible to apply for the scholarships if they are either within the top 2 percent of their class or are recommended by a teacher for their leadership, creativity or artistic skill, according to Marilyn Rolfsmeyer, the district's Gifted and Talented coordinator and Monroe High School art teacher.
"I think it's remarkable and it's a great opportunity for students," Rolfsmeyer said. "It broadens their horizons of where they can be and what they can do ... and it's usually hands-on experiences, which all kids enjoy."
With an eye on his post-high school years, Eric Tabaka took advantage of the $150 GT scholarship he was awarded to expand his piano skills. The Monroe High School junior attended a piano academy for four days at Augustana College in the Quad Cities, which lie on the boarder of Illinois and Iowa.
"I thought it was a really great experience," Tabaka said. "It was really helpful for me to work with different professors at the college."
He wants to pursue piano after high school, and as he's been learning under the same piano teacher for 10 years, "It was good to get a different viewpoint."
Over 500 students in the district qualified for the scholarships last year, Rolfsmeyer said. But they have to apply for the program to be awarded funds, and about 20 to 30 usually apply. Last year's applicants were narrowed down to 15 students in April.
Most students take advantage of the funds, Rolfsmeyer said, though some back out for various reasons. Scholarships ranged from $50 to $350 last year used by 10 recipients.
"Every student that's come back to report on this, they've just beamed," she said. "One of the most pleasurable things I get to do is listen to them tell about their experiences."
Like Tabaka, older students often focus on how the program can help them prepare for careers or college, according to Rolfsmeyer.
The activities GT scholarships can be used for span a wide range. They are usually camps or workshops students can attend over the summer, and they focus on anything from sciences to the arts.
Suggestions for activities can be found on the district's website under Gifted Talented on the Academics tab. Parents can also find their own activities, but it should be a little structured, Rolfsmeyer said.
"I think they're getting a lot out of this," she said.
Starting in 2012, the GT program has depended on community donations. Rolfsmeyer said the program is typically funded by donations from Swiss Colony, but a second anonymous donor contributed $2,500 last year.
Some of the GT funds weren't used, so the remaining $810 will go toward the 2014-15 scholarships.
Rolfsmeyer said the program has been working well and gives students a chance to do something they wouldn't normally be able to do.
"I sure hope it continues," she added.
Tabaka said he would recommend the program to other students. "Everyone seemed to get a lot out of it, which they can take into their future."
"I'm very grateful for the donors, including Colony Brands, for supporting the program," he said. "It helped me a lot."
Students anywhere from second grade through high school are eligible to apply for the scholarships if they are either within the top 2 percent of their class or are recommended by a teacher for their leadership, creativity or artistic skill, according to Marilyn Rolfsmeyer, the district's Gifted and Talented coordinator and Monroe High School art teacher.
"I think it's remarkable and it's a great opportunity for students," Rolfsmeyer said. "It broadens their horizons of where they can be and what they can do ... and it's usually hands-on experiences, which all kids enjoy."
With an eye on his post-high school years, Eric Tabaka took advantage of the $150 GT scholarship he was awarded to expand his piano skills. The Monroe High School junior attended a piano academy for four days at Augustana College in the Quad Cities, which lie on the boarder of Illinois and Iowa.
"I thought it was a really great experience," Tabaka said. "It was really helpful for me to work with different professors at the college."
He wants to pursue piano after high school, and as he's been learning under the same piano teacher for 10 years, "It was good to get a different viewpoint."
Over 500 students in the district qualified for the scholarships last year, Rolfsmeyer said. But they have to apply for the program to be awarded funds, and about 20 to 30 usually apply. Last year's applicants were narrowed down to 15 students in April.
Most students take advantage of the funds, Rolfsmeyer said, though some back out for various reasons. Scholarships ranged from $50 to $350 last year used by 10 recipients.
"Every student that's come back to report on this, they've just beamed," she said. "One of the most pleasurable things I get to do is listen to them tell about their experiences."
Like Tabaka, older students often focus on how the program can help them prepare for careers or college, according to Rolfsmeyer.
The activities GT scholarships can be used for span a wide range. They are usually camps or workshops students can attend over the summer, and they focus on anything from sciences to the arts.
Suggestions for activities can be found on the district's website under Gifted Talented on the Academics tab. Parents can also find their own activities, but it should be a little structured, Rolfsmeyer said.
"I think they're getting a lot out of this," she said.
Starting in 2012, the GT program has depended on community donations. Rolfsmeyer said the program is typically funded by donations from Swiss Colony, but a second anonymous donor contributed $2,500 last year.
Some of the GT funds weren't used, so the remaining $810 will go toward the 2014-15 scholarships.
Rolfsmeyer said the program has been working well and gives students a chance to do something they wouldn't normally be able to do.
"I sure hope it continues," she added.
Tabaka said he would recommend the program to other students. "Everyone seemed to get a lot out of it, which they can take into their future."
"I'm very grateful for the donors, including Colony Brands, for supporting the program," he said. "It helped me a lot."