By STEPHANIE BRUMFIELD / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – Every year, the Duke University Talent Identification Program recognizes students across the United States for scoring in the 95th percentile on standardized tests, and seventeen Montevallo Elementary students recently received the honor.

“It’s a huge honor,” said Montevallo Elementary principal Allison Campbell during a Montevallo City Council meeting Oct. 14, where the students were recognized. “Last year, we had four students (qualify). This year, we have 17.”

The students, who scored better than 95 percent of students taking the Alabama Reading and Math Test, will have the opportunity to take the ACT at the age of 13 to gauge their academic progress.

Duke University recognized the following students: Anna Bright, Eric Castelazo, Campbell Cost, Johannes Delgado-Bu, Jonathan Dryer, Emily Dutton, Jennifer Garsia, Janie Gray, Justin Hyde, Caleb Johnson, William Landers, Nathan Moore, Kaitlyn Ozley, Sofia Parmer, Kayce Sankey, Amelia Verdin, Kali Yancey and Vicki Zou.