Recognition Ceremony
What is the Belin-Blank Center Recognition Ceremony?
The Belin-Blank Center Recognition Ceremony is held annually and is an opportunity to acknowledge those students (grades 4–12) who earned scores in the top 1% of the Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search (BESTS), were selected to one of our scholarship programs, or received special recognition in a Belin-Blank Center program in 2009.
Who is recognized?
Students
Select students (grades 4–12) who earned scores in the top 1% of the Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search (BESTS), were selected to one of our scholarship programs, or received special recognition in a Belin-Blank Center program in 2009.
Teachers
Each student honored is given the opportunity to select an educator or individual who has had a profound impact on that student. The teacher is invited to attend the Belin-Blank Center Recognition Ceremony, to cross the stage with his/her student, and to receive an award.
Top 25 Schools of Iowa AP Index
Also honored are the top 25 high schools in Iowa according to the Iowa AP Index. This index was developed at the Belin-Blank Center and recognizes schools in Iowa for offering Advanced Placement (AP) opportunities and for their students willing to step up to the challenge of an AP exam. The top 25 schools will be recognized at the Belin-Blank Center Recognition Ceremony.
How many students and teachers are honored?
Over 600 students and 400 teachers from throughout Iowa and the country are invited to participate in the annual Belin-Blank Center Recognition Ceremony.
Have the letters of invitation been sent?
All students who are to be recognized will have been sent their letters of invitation by mid-July 2009.
What are the deadlines?
Students: So that we will have enough time to send invitations to invited teachers, the RSVP deadline for students is Monday, August 3, 2009.
Teachers: So that we will have enough time to get your name printed in the program, the RSVP deadline for teachers is Monday, September 14, 2009.
How do we respond to the invitation?
We encourage you to respond online. You will need the URL and your unique student ID number, which are included in your letter of invitation, in order to successfully complete your registration.
What if I cannot find my letter of invitation?
You may contact Jerilyn Fisher or Rachelle Rich at the Belin-Blank Center and she will provide you the information you will need to register online.
If I'm not able to attend do I need to register anyway?
Please. Students may invite teachers to be honored at the Belin-Blank Center Recognition Ceremony even if the student is not able to attend.
Should I contact the teacher I want to invite?
If it is important that you know in advance whether your teacher will be able to attend the ceremony, we strongly encourage you to contact the teacher you would like to invite to the Belin-Blank Center Recognition Ceremony BEFORE you submit your information. If you wish to make plans with the honored teacher to attend other Recognition Ceremony activities or to travel together, making these arrangements will be up to you.
What if I cannot attend the Belin-Blank Center Recognition Ceremony on October 18th?
If you are unable to attend the Recognition Ceremony, after the event you will be sent a personalized certificate of recognition and a copy of the Recognition Ceremony Program.
Will the newspapers receive information about my having been invited to the Belin-Blank Center Recognition Ceremony?
Following the Belin-Blank Center Recognition Ceremony, a press release will be sent by The University of Iowa News Services to the newspapers that are closest to the towns in which the honored students and teachers live. Please be aware, however, that neither the Belin-Blank Center nor The University of Iowa News Services can guarantee when or if your hometown newspaper will publish the press release.
Where are the students from?
The Belin-Blank Center serves students and teachers from across the nation. The majority of the students will be from Iowa primarily because several of the scholarship and merit programs are available just to Iowa students. However, we have had students and teachers travel to Iowa from north, south, east and west!
Who else may attend the Belin-Blank Center Recognition Ceremony?
Seating in the Iowa Memorial Union is limited; therefore Each honored student may invite two guests, and each honored teacher may invite one guest to also attend. Guest passes will be sent in October to those students and teachers who register to attend the Belin-Blank Center Recognition Ceremony. Individuals holding guest passes are seated first.
Are there other activities associated with the Belin-Blank Center Recognition Ceremony?
Please click here (pdf) to see the scheduled activities for this year's Recognition Ceremony.