Anna C. McCracken, an incoming fifth-grader at Emerson Elementary, and Anthony H. Malek, an incoming freshman at Westerville Central High School, have been honored as two of the brightest students in the world by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY).
Both have been recognized for their performance on the SAT, ACT, or similar assessments taken as part of the CTY Talent Search. CTY uses above-grade-level testing to identify advanced students from around the world and provide a clear picture of their true academic abilities.
More than 15,000 students in grades two through eight tested through CTY's Talent Search between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020, representing all 50 states plus Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Armed Forces installations in Europe and the Pacific, as well as more than 70 countries. Nearly 1,400 students from this group who scored in the top 9% on their test were 2020 Grand Honors awardees — including McCracken and Malek.
The center has been considered a global leader in gifted education since 1979, focused on recognizing academic talent in exceptional elementary, middle, and high school students and supporting their growth with courses, services, and resources designed to meet their specific needs. CTY draws students from 50 states and more than 80 countries worldwide. Each year, CTY awards more than $5 million in need-based financial aid to families.