Region's brightest gather for DreamFest at NKU

News from NKU...

Tuesday - March 6, 2012
For immediate release...


HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky Association for Gifted Education partnered with the Northern Kentucky University Institute for Talent Development and Gifted Studies to sponsor the DreamFest Conference March 6 at NKU.

The conference provided an unusual opportunity for 1,000 northern Kentucky gifted elementary and middle school students to come together with like-minded students across the area for challenges in mathematics, science and the arts. Students from 25 northern Kentucky schools and 15 districts participated in the daylong conference.

"It is an amazing display of generosity, where area businesses, schools and artists have donated their time and talents to work with our young students," said Kathleen Lemmons, NKAGE president and teacher in Fort Thomas Independent Schools.

Participating students attended interactive presentations by The Cincy Blues Society, Mark Peace from Five Seasons Sports Club and Backstage Magic by Magician Matthew Taylor. They also attended their choice of 45 session workshops targeted to their specific area of talent.

These workshops were presented by experts from the community and focused on the development of targeted gifts and talents in the areas of dance, drama, mathematics, music, science and the visual arts. This included sessions such as: Step Like the Irish, Dramakinetics, Build a Better Baseball Team, Stage Makeup, CrocTalk, Exciting Elemental Experiments and Art As a Business.

Lunch for the event was generously provided by Snappy Tomato Pizza and Chiquita.

"I look forward to Dreamfest every year," said fourth grade student Matthew Code. "It is incredible and I learned so many new and exciting things. This year I was able to use math to create the perfect baseball team with the help of Ken Freeman from the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum."

For more information about the Dreamfest Conference or other opportunities for gifted and talented children, contact Dr. Kimberly Code with NKU's Institute for Talent Development and Gifted Studies at gifted@nku.edu.

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