RCS Middle School student wins state award

Will be honored at Siena College next month

A RCS sixth grade student will receive a top state academic award – typically only awarded to older students - next month.

Jacob Clouse, son of Mary and Peter Clouse, will receive the Advocacy for Gifted and Talented Education (AGATE) Academic Excellence Award at the annual AGATE conference Oct. 27 at Siena College.  AGATE is a statewide organization made up of teachers and parents of gifted students from across New York State.

The award is one of only three the association hands out.

RCS Young Scholars Teacher Kathy Baumgraus said Clouse was chosen through a rigorous competition and involved his writing an essay as well as letters of recommendation from teachers and community members.

Audrey Dowling, AGATE Awards chairwoman, said the award is one of three given out statewide by AGATE.

“A committee meets and reviews the applications and makes their decision about who should receive the awards. ... The committee was particularly impressed by Jacob's academic excellence combined with his love of art and his attitude towards being helpful towards other people,” said Ms. Dowling.

Clouse’s essay answered the following questions posed by AGATE:

·         What are you committed to doing and becoming as an adult?

·         When and where do you believe you make a contribution to the lives of others?

·         Describe an area of talent or aptitude in which you demonstrate excellence and/or school leadership.

“Jacob is truly a wonderful person and deserves all the recognition he gets,” said Baumgraus.