Brenda Discovers Her Talent

When Brenda was in elementary school, her grades were slightly above average. There would usually be an A or two, maybe some B’s and generally a C. The genius and I encouraged, but didn’t push her in her academics. And we didn’t have to intervene until the sixth grade when she made an F in science one six weeks. We talked to the teacher and we all agreed that she was just careless and could do much better. The next six weeks grade was an A.

In the seventh grade she changed schools in order to attend the same one that her older siblings went to. Again, her grades were about the same – above average, but not exceptional.

(An incident occurred in the seventh grade science class that her classmates still remember. The teacher had stepped out of the room when someone got the bright idea to get Brenda to put a paper clip on the end of a pencil and stick it into the electrical outlet. Of course, sparks flew everywhere. The teacher later told me when he walked in the door, all the students except for Brenda were laughing – she was crying. That occasion might have accounted for her being placed in the standard track when she went on to eighth grade.)

During her eighth grade year, her math teacher began to notice that Brenda was excelling in that subject and suggested to the genius and me that in 9th grade she be moved to the honors track. That would mean that at some point she would have to take two math courses in one year, but she was willing to do that. So we agreed to that plan of action.

Something happened to Brenda after that. She decided if she could do well in math, she could shine in her other classes as well. And that’s what she did. During her high school years she won three math medals, made the honor society, and topped it all off by winning a full academic scholarship in civil engineering to college. The university she chose was renowned for its engineering program and was only about 90 miles away. Four years later she graduated Cum Laude and was on her way.

Her hidden talent had been discovered.