Student A : I could be intellectually curious without feeling like I had to always achieve an “A”. It gave me the opportunity to develop peer relationships with others who valued intellectual pursuits. It helped me develop confidence in my intellectual abilities that has lead me to pursue my Ph.D. I have realized that learning isn't just a classroom occurrence, but a lifetime pursuit. I was given the freedom to control some of my learning and it allowed me to explore what I was interested in. In elementary and middle school, SI (Special Interest) saved me from utter boredom.

Student B: Special Interest was a source of inspiration, pride and fun. Many of the benefits were indirect. Speaking skills, debate, critical thinking, creative thinking, and opportunities to enhance my ability to present myself are some of these indirect benefits.

Student C: My gifted program helped me develop an awareness of my own talents and abilities. I grew as a leader as I was given the opportunity to participate in real life problem solving activities and competitions. I was pushed to exceed my expectations and gained self-esteem as I was selected for some opportunities that I would not normally have been involved in without Special Interest. Having the opportunities through SI allowed me to think about what I wanted to think about and to become a more self-motivated learner.

Student D: SI broadened my ability to think critically. The fact is that SI helped me in my regular classes by affording me free and creative thinking gymnastics for my brain.

SI was an odd mix of students. The great thing about SI was that there was no prototypical SI student. The only commonality between the students was an ability to learn at an exceptional rate. The jocks, band members, diligent bookworms and artists came together, shedding those identities to just be allowed to think and learn more about what interested us. It sounds simple but in a system wrought with standardization, it was a place of astounding educational freedom. “Life” has none of the guidelines of the educational system. Many students don't discover what truly interests them until in college. SI had a profound impact on my undergraduate years because I was able to study things I was first exposed to in SI that other high school classes simply did not cover. SI gets students thinking outside the confines of high school and it is precisely the kind of thinking that major universities look for.

The benefits of gifted programs are proportional to the effort of the student involved. Like any class a student may abuse an opportunity to learn. You only get out what you put in.

Student E: The gifted program encouraged me to think “outside the box” in a way that other classes did not. I took ONLY AP and weighted courses but those were sometimes not challenging enough. SI provided events and individual project opportunities that other courses didn't offer. The most important thing I learned from participating in the gifted program is how to think for myself.

Student F: The gifted program provided open-ended design oriented projects that suited and prepared me for my career as an architect. I was given the opportunities to see and visit locations otherwise inaccessible to me as a high school student.

Student G: The gifted program gave me chances to keep my mind open and freethinking. I gained confidence through the challenges provided.

Student H : I know that it enhanced my creative thinking skills and leadership abilities. SI had a huge impact in my learning about myself and my aptitude. The career shadowing was beneficial to help me narrow my career goals.

Student I: Special Interest enhanced my life. I moved into the district and felt utterly alone and isolated. I found books with the help of my elementary SI teacher that were at my level and developed some great friendships with others of the same intellectual ability. I loved learning as much in depth as possible and have continued to strive to find my place as I pursue my Ph.D.

Student J: While AP and weighted courses were important to push me academically – they forced me to study hard and expanded my knowledge in very specific subjects – they were definitely not enough to complete my education. SI allowed me to explore topics that are rarely discussed in the classroom. Learning about such things makes you a much more interesting person and definitely broadens your horizons. It helps students to discover talents they never knew they had, and it sparks curiosity in subjects that are normally considered to be “boring” or “useless.”

I would have to say that the best thing that Special Interest did for my life was to teach me to appreciate the different cultures around the world. During middle school Special Interest, I was able to take introductory classes in both French and German. The SI teacher had more freedom to teach the language in a creative manner, which made learning German fun.

In high school Special Interest, we did various units featuring different regions, cultures, and practices around the world. The field trips we took highlighted art from many different countries, and speakers came to talk to us about their travels all over the Earth. This emphasis on life beyond America 's borders helped me to discover a passion for learning about the world around us. The Special Interest teachers were among the first to support my decision to be an exchange student in Germany , and they helped me to adapt my course of study to fulfill all the necessary CV requirements, yet still get the most out of the year-long experience. Now that I am in college, I am majoring in International Politics and Economics, and I am pursuing minors in both French and German. I directly owe this passion for international affairs to the CV Special Interest program.

One of the best aspects of SI was that it encouraged students to think “outside the box.” I learned to solve problems using unconventional methods and not to get overwhelmed when presented with extremely complicated problems. Last summer I completed an internship with a government agency in Washington , DC , and my boss commented several times as to how calm I always remained, even when we were swamped with work or when we faced complex obstacles. She was also very impressed with my creativity and how I approached projects with a different perspective, one that brought a fresh light into the office. I told her that most of these skills I had learned not at the university level, but during my high school gifted classes. She was impressed.

Student K: I had so many great experiences through the gifted program in high school. The events where I grew most as an individual were competitions. Participation in televised academic competitions through the gifted program helped me develop quick thinking and speaking skills. I also gained leadership skills and critical thinking ability. I have gained the confidence that has helped me numerous times in college. I know that I will be able to call upon those skills I learned in SI throughout my life.

Student L: Many benefits came from my being in the gifted program at CV, but the outside of classroom experiences were the best. Having the opportunity to see things beyond the regular classroom and our little community helped me develop my interest and love of culture. Getting students out of Mechanicsburg and exposing them to art, theater, music and culture from all backgrounds helped to develop a sense of awareness of others opinions and the feeling of being a global citizen. I have the SI class to thank for developing a broader look at the world and for helping to promote my sense of adventure. Learning is so much more vivid outside of the classroom and we could relate the concepts we learned in class to real life. I have continued to look beyond my traditional learning setting and have continued to “see” every experience as a continuum of my education. Being able to travel by navigating around a city or reading a map has been an invaluable experience. I attribute that ability to learning by doing in SI.

Student M: The most important thing I got from the gifted program was the idea that I was not the only weird individual in school. In elementary school, I felt so different that I often tried to be like everyone else and acted like I didn't understand or remember the answer, when I really did. I did not want to stand out. The gifted program gave me the opportunity to be myself and excel in competitions and activities. I could come together with peers who did not judge me but valued intellect. I was challenged and had to work for the answers to problems. I learned that everything did not always come easy and that prepared me for the work I had to do in college. I think without learning the strategies to work at problem solving while in the gifted program I would have found the complex problems in college overwhelming.

Student N: Being in the gifted program gave me the opportunities that I would not have received otherwise. We were taught to think in different ways, critically and creatively. We had to practice quick thinking and analysis during class activities. We could explore individual interests and through the trips outside of school, we could investigate many different ideas.

SI encouraged me to be more accepting to other views. I had interaction with some radical thinkers in SI while living in a very conservative area. Now that I'm at college I understand how important it is to take other opinions into account and to evaluate them to see the merits.

Student O: We were taught to think in different ways, critically and creatively. We had to practice quick thinking and analysis during class activities. That has helped me in my college courses. I am now a much more independent thinker due to the freedom we had to think and share our ideas in the gifted program. Rather than have to conform to the traditional we were encouraged to find our own method and to create.

Our next question will be posted soon. Student should email their responses to d1benson@earthlink.net or dbenson@cvschools.org.