Victoria Potter, sophomore at PTHS

Paducah Tilghman sophomore Victoria Potter has been accepted to attend the 2011 Vanderbilt Summer Academy (VSA), a program for gifted students hosted by Vanderbilt University’s Programs for Talented Youth (PTY).

Students who attend VSA are among the brightest in the country, scoring in the top tier on academic achievement tests such as the SAT and ACT.

“VSA classes develop students’ critical thinking skills, encourage intellectual exploration, and teach them how to thrive in a college classroom setting,” says Director Dr. Tamra Stambaugh.

“Students are able to push their intellectual limits alongside friends who also appreciate the sheer joy of learning and discovery.”

VSA consists of one-week, two-week, and three-week sessions, each featuring challenging courses taught in university classrooms and laboratories by Vanderbilt scholars. The caliber of VSA’s teaching staff and students‘ access to university resources make VSA unique among summer academic programs for gifted youth.

Potter has chosen to study Law School 101.

Vanderbilt University’s PTY seeks to identify and aid academically talented youth from diverse educational, racial, and economic backgrounds by providing academic enrichment and challenge, balance, and healthfulness in their lives. In addition to VSA, PTY provides engaging and intellectually appropriate educational opportunities to gifted young students, their parents, and educators year-round through various research projects. These include the Weekend Academy at Vanderbilt University, Saturday Academy at Vanderbilt University, parent support groups and professional development opportunities for educators.

Parents, students and educators interested in any of PTY’s programs are encouraged to contact the PTY office at (615) 322-8261 or visit the website at pty.vanderbilt.edu