Contact: Stephan Price, President Oregon Association for Talented and Gifted PO Box 1703, Beaverton, OR 97075 http://www.oatag.org/ Email: [email protected] Tel: 503.893.8939

For Immediate Release

OATAG Announces 2016 Young Scholar Winner Monday, February 29, 2016: The Oregon Association for Talented and Gifted (OATAG) is pleased to recognize Grace Traeger of Silverton, Oregon as the recipient of the 2016 OATAG Young Scholars Award. Grace, a 5th grade student at Community Roots School in Silverton, Oregon, was highly recommended by teachers, administrators, and dance instructors for her tremendous dedication to dance performance and her desire to spend the summer devoted to a summer intensive dance program. Grace has studied dance for the past 7 years, performing in several dance productions with the American Academy of Performing Arts and Eugene Ballet Company. In addition to her dance performances, she is a studious and attentive 5th grade student who volunteers with Pennies for Patients and performs other community service activities. This is the fourth year that OATAG has provided the Young Scholars Award (YSA) to TAG students who have demonstrated exemplary ability while using their abilities to help others. Funded by private donations, the program is open to students in grades 4 though 8 who have achieved excellence in one of the following areas: leadership, visual/performing arts, or academic achievement. A student may be recommended by a teacher, parent, or community leader. In addition to the award certificate and trophy, Grace will receive a scholarship for up to $500 toward the summer camp or academic program of her choice. She will also receive complimentary conference admission for herself, her mother, and her teacher to the 2015 Conference. Additionally, her family will receive a one-year Gold membership in OATAG. Two runners up were also selected. Ashley Bec, a 5th grader from Portland, Oregon, who attends Wilkes Elementary School. Ashley was selected as a runner-up based on her strong academics and citizenship. The other runner-up was Jane Brinkley, an 8th grader at Roosevelt Middle School in Eugene, Oregon, was selected based on her excellence in academics, leadership, and community service. All of the runners up will receive complimentary conference admission. OATAG is a statewide Oregon-based, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that advocates for the needs of talented and gifted children; serves as a resource for families, educators, and communities; and provides direction for excellence in education. Visit OATAG’s website http://www.oatag.org for more information about OATAG. ###