May 3, 2022

Congratulations to City College junior Tehle Ross, who won first place for the annual Maryland Coalition for Gifted and Talented Education (MCGATE) essay contest! MCGATE received 141 applications from 11 school districts across the state, and Ross was awarded the highest prize in the high school division. 

Each year, MCGATE tasks students in Gifted and Talented Education (GTE) programs to express what the gifted education opportunities offered in their schools means to the them. Ross’ essay titled “Honor to the one who earns it” gave a special thanks to International Baccalaureate Higher Level English III teacher, Mx. Benner for helping to push Ross in writing and academics. 

“GT education allows gifted students to reach their full potential and develop their interests by providing the academic environment and content suitable to challenge them,” said Ross. “For as long as I can remember, I have known that my mind works differently from many other kids my age. Without gifted and talented programming, I would never have been exposed to a community of peers whose minds work as quickly as mine and, frankly, differently, like mine.”