Gaffney Middle School Junior Scholars are (left to right) Brice Bolin, Tanner McCraw, Sarah Davis, Jerimiah Rosado, James Reynolds and Philmon Thompson. A junior scholar initiative has resulted in 35 Cherokee County middle school students receiving state recognition for their academic achievements.

Seventh grade students recognized by Duke University’s Talent Identification Program are automatically recognized as junior scholars.

Eighth grade students take the preliminary SAT (PSAT) each year in order to be identified as a junior scholar. The test is co-sponsored by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Eighth grade students become a junior scholar by scoring higher than 50 on the PSAT in verbal, math or writing.

Acting superintendent Kim Bagwell said the middle school students complete the same PSAT test that eleventh grade students take to enter the competition for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship program.

Granard Middle School Junior Scholars include (front row, left to right) Juliet Moss, Holly Jennings and Madison Guyton. (Back row) Seth Cole, Michael Cannon, William Taylor, Tremaine Henderson, Caitlyn Howard and Christopher Knowles. Aidan Baxter-Ferguson, Suzanne Beaumont, Kathleen Harvey, Julianna Meyer, and Tristan Sirrico were not available when this photograph was taken. “Scoring 50 or higher on any section of this test is an outstanding achievement for an eighth grader,” Bagwell said. “This year we have 35 students who have accomplished this score. We are very proud of them and are pleased to honor them.”

Junior scholars receive information from different colleges and invitations to participate in summer academic programs held on college campuses. Students attend Junior Scholar Days at each grade level in high school where they can learn more about the college experience.

Blacksburg Middle School Junior Scholars are (left to right) Daniel Hunter Deaton, Matthew Todd, Mary Katharine Byars, Joseph Franklin Gibson and Michael Alexander Mullinax. This year’s junior scholars are pictured above.
Ewing Middle School Junior Scholars are (left to right) Daniel Blackwood, Kassy Addis, William Cantrell, Macey Atkins, DaTalmon Logan and Richard Martin. Carla Cain, Danika Duncan, Ronald Goins, and Kinsey Gregg were not available when this photograph was taken.