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Author of “October Sky” Gives Scholarship to Summer Gifted Program
released: 05/10/04
Homer Hickman, the writer of “October Sky” and his wife, Linda, donated a full scholarship to the West Virginia Wesleyan Summer Gifted Program. The gift, named in his honor, will be used by a qualifying student from McDowell County to attend the two-week program.

The gifted student will spend two weeks on the campus of West Virginia Wesleyan College, have a roommate, live in residence hall, and eat in the dining hall. The student will also participate in a trip to Pittsburgh.

The student will be taught in a small class setting by college professors and will learn astrophysics, mathematics, and literature with other gifted students.

It is not all academics, however, remarks Director Dr. Kwame Boateng. “We will take the students to Meadowbrook Mall for dinner, a movie, and shopping, and to the Upshur County Recreational Park for swimming and a pizza party. They will also participate in dances, a talent show, and a variety of sports on campus.”

This year marks the 22nd anniversary of the program. The Wesleyan Summer Gifted Program was founded by Dr. Joseph Wiest, a professor of physics and engineering at West Virginia Wesleyan College, and his wife, Jeanie Wiest, M.D., in 1983. Their goal is to augment the education of gifted children in West Virginia.

Over 1,200 gifted children from 20 states have participated in the program in the last 21 years. Graduates have become doctors, lawyers, and pharmacists and many have received the highest degree in their field. The dates for this year’s program are June 27-July 10 for grades 5 - 8, and July 11-24 for grades 8 - 11.

To be eligible to attend, a student must be identified as gifted or scored in the 97th percentile on the mathematics or verbal section of a nationally standardized exam.

Brochures are available by contacting: Wesleyan Summer Gifted Program, Box 89, WVWC, 59 College Avenue, Buckhannon, WV, 26201, or you can visit the gifted camp website.