It is an honor to announce that Molly Lovern of Mercer County has
been selected as the 2007 West Virginia Nicholas Green Distinguished
Student. When nominated last year by her teacher of the gifted, Linda
Sexton, Molly was a fifth grader at Brushfork Elementary School in
Bluefield. She is the daughter of Jon and Lori Lovern.
molly's beautiful speech from the WVAGT Fall conference:
jug*gle: to keep several objects in continuous motion in the air simultaneously by tossing and
catching
Sometimes it’s hard to keep all the balls in my life in the air. While pushing myself to excel
academically, remembering to be my own person is difficult. The time not spent studying,
preparing for competitions or pleasure reading is spent with sports. I water and snow ski, play
basketball, tennis, and soccer. Although most are strictly for fun, soccer is that and more. I play
on a competitive travel team. Sports are important because on the field I’m just a normal kid, an
equal. At school, I’m treated differently because of my academic status. Although I could have
free time, this is how I choose to live my life. No one else decided to play those sports. No one
else decided I would compete academically. No one told me to join everything and not quit. I love
this non-stop lifestyle. Although I would be unhappy doing less, sometimes it’s hard to keep all
the balls in the air.
When I started school, I felt different. It’s hard to explain, but even though I had friends, it
seemed there was a connection between everyone I wasn’t a part of. That connection has grown
stronger each year. I’ve accepted I don’t have to fit into the puzzle. With this knowledge I’ve
made friends who don’t use me, accepting I’m different.
My brother, Ian, has helped me achieve things I couldn’t have done myself. Although both my
parents work full-time they have been there for me, helping me study and learn. In addition, my
grandma takes me from elementary to middle school for math class. My family serves a big part
in my education.
In fifth grade I take accelerated English, Spelling, Reading, and seventh grade Math in
preparation for Algebra next year. Competitions I’m a part of include Math Field Day, Spelling
Bee, Letters about Literature, Social Studies Fair, Reading Bee and Battle of the Books. Two
straight years I have placed first in Math Field Day, having first to win at county and regional
levels. Earlier this year I placed third at the County Spelling Bee for grades four through eight. I
recently placed first in the 2006-2007 statewide Letters about Literature. Last year, my project on
the Holocaust placed first in the State Social Studies Fair. I have been on the school Reading Bee
team for three years. This will also be my third year on the Battle of the Books team. In addition I
take tests from Johns Hopkins, a center for gifted children. Not many people know of my
achievements. I never talk of them for fear of bragging.
My leadership is demonstrated through humanitarian efforts. I cannot bear seeing a hungry child
or a family without money. My school has been very embracing, helping me make a difference.
Two years ago, my brother and I started a book collection for Make a Difference Day. We
collected and gave away more than a hundred books. I’ve also started two coat drives at school.
Currently I’m in the first stages of a summer clothing collection for the Salvation Army. I don’t do
this to win competitions or for credit on a college application. I do this because I care. Credit
should go to the students who donated, not me. Without them, these services wouldn’t have
been successful. I am the match that lit the fire. They are the wind that makes it strong.
My future goal is to make a difference. As I go through college and experience more of life, I will
explore my options. I don’t know how or where, but I will make a difference. I am determined. I
am a juggler. I wrote this poem to conclude my composition.
Students are nominated for outstanding achievement in academics, leadership and visual or
performing arts. Molly was nominated for both her academic achievements and hr leadership
abilities. In addition to letters of recommendation, nominees also submitted a composition.
Completed applications were independently read and reviewed by members of a selection
committee and ranked using a criteria supplied by NAGC. Molly received a certificate of
recognition and a $500 U.S. Savings bond, presented at the WVAGT Fall Conference at Snowshoe
Resort.
In both 4th and 5th grades, Molly placed first in the State Math Field Day. This past spring the
Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth presented a National award for placing
second in the nation and first in West Virginia on the SCAT Math test for grades 2-6. She has also
won top honors for her entries in the West Virginia Letters about Literature event and in the State
Social Studies Fair.
Molly’s teacher, Marsha Platnick, relayed this anecdote concerning the quality of Molly’s work: “I
was so impressed with this tender fourth grader’s speech about “the Holocaust in the eyes of
others” that I invited hr to present hr project to the Jewish congregation at the synagogue. There
were tears of recognition and appreciation in the eyes of the elderly as a composed nine-year old
told of her interviews and shared her conclusions.”
Academic achievement is only part of Molly’s story. She is socially concerned and actively
involved in the school and community as evidenced by working with her brother to organize
clothing and food drives for those less fortunate. Las year fro :Make a Difference Day” Molly
organized a community drive to collect and disseminate gently used Books. She plays soccer on a
competitive travel team and also enjoys tennis, basketball and snow skiing.
Molly’s principal, Terry Quesenberry, describes Molly this way:
“Molly understands that true genius is ninety-nine percent perspiration and only one percent
inspiration and she is not threatened by hard work. Her dedication and effort are incomparable
among her peers and yet she is humble and unassuming regarding her achievements. Molly truly
understands that preparation coupled with opportunity will yield success. She is on of the most
gifted children I have had the pleasure of working with in my thirty-five years in the education
field.”
We congratulate Molly, her family and her teachers on her receipt of the Nicholas Green Award.
The award was established by the parents of Nicholas Green, a young boy who was killed in a
drive-by shooting while on vacation in Italy. Nicholas’ parents donated his organs and wanted the
many gifts and talents he possessed to be remembered and continued through the lives of
others. More information about the history of the award can be found at www.nagc.org. You
may help continue the issuance of the award by making a donation to WVAGT for the Nicholas
Green Fund. We encourage you to do so. Students such as Molly deserve special recognition.
| All my life I have felt so wrong With my head in my hands I searched for a place where I could finally belong But I never could find the answer Through teases and taunts And as I let the insults pile up in my heart My weakness grew and my self-control was shot As I melted down with confidence bleak I let other’s judgement get to me Slowly I realized the answer is simple There is no key But what is normal? And what about me? Molly Lovern |
| 2008 Applications Due June 2! |