Collin Kepner with former English teacher, Mrs. James.
Collin Kepner, a student at Ottumwa High School, was recently honored at The University of Iowa Belin-Blank Center's Recognition Ceremony. The ceremony was held Sunday, October 11 at the Iowa Memorial Union on the University of Iowa campus. Kepner was recognized for his performance in the Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search (BESTS), which was determined by his ninth grade ACT test score. There were 21 students who received this honor in the ACT test category of the BESTS.
The Belin-Blank Center believes teachers play a vital part in the lives of students. Because of this, each honoree is encouraged to identify an exceptional teacher to be recognized along with the student. Kepner selected Jacqueline James, his 8th grade English teacher at Evans Middle School, for this honor. According to Kepner's mother, Gina, "Mrs. James was truly an exceptional teacher. He was very lucky to have her. She taught him so much and even offered her evenings after school once a week for students who wanted to learn more than what was being taught in class."
The Belin-Blank Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development is an international gifted education center at the University of Iowa. Addressing the students, teachers, and guests were the University of Iowa Provost Barry Butler, Dean Nicholas Colangelo from the College of Education, Dean Sarah Gardial from the Tippie College of Business, U.S. Congressman Dave Loebsack, and Julius Carter.
