Connelly Cowan, a 7th grade student at Mount Pleasant Junior High School, earned State Recognition from the Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) by earning a score on the ACT that is approximately equal to the 50th national percentile rank for college-bound seniors taking that test.
She was recognized at the Texas State Recognition Ceremony at the University of Texas in Denton. Connelly is the daughter of Collin and Kelly Cowan.
To qualify for the 2016–2017 school year, she had to meet at least one of the following criteria: English, Math or Science greater than or equal to 22, or Reading greater or equal to 23.
Duke TIP’s 7th Grade Talent Search identifies students across the United States who have scored at or above the 95th percentile on a grade-level standardized test. As part of the program, these academically talented students take above-level college-entrance exams to learn more about their abilities. Duke TIP then hosts annual recognition ceremonies to honor the seventh graders who scored the highest on these ACT or SAT exams.