THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 11, 1995 TAG: 9503110254
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
Some call them ``whiz kids,'' others simply use the word ``gifted.''
But 16-year-old Will Shearin and 15-year-old Townsend Duong don't like to label their academic talents. The former Manteo High students are now enrolled at the prestigious Choate School in Wallingford, Conn. Next year, they will be taking college math classes - possibly at Yale.
``I guess I'm gifted in the sense that some things come easier for me than they do for other people,'' Shearin said. ``But I don't think you can easily label yourself. That's something usually done by other people.''
The labels may not fit comfortably, but after exhausting the academic challenges at Manteo in their freshman year, they and Manteo classmate Josia Lamberto-Egan took the road north to the prep school that counts the late President John F. Kennedy among its alumni.
``We were both freshmen at Manteo High School in pre-calculus and advanced chemistry,'' Shearin said. ``We thought we should look for a school where we could take more courses.''
Duong said, ``We needed more choices and more interesting courses to meet our academic needs.''
Choate more than met their expectations. There are some major differences, both in and out of the classroom.
``The classes are much smaller,'' Shearin said. ``There's much more personal attention. Also, the teachers don't just expect you to do homework; you have to be able to answer questions, and be prepared in class. There is more class participation.''
Duong agreed.
``Rather than being fed the information, the teachers expect you to do more,'' he said.
Shearin and Duong said that when they arrived at their new academic home, the demands were intense. But it was not a matter of playing ``catch-up.''
Shearin, Duong and Lamberto-Egan established some sparkling credentials before enrolling at Choate. Duong won the gold medal at the 1993 North Carolina Mathematics League competition. Lamberto-Egan won the silver.
The trio was part of the winning team in the North Carolina division of the 1993 American High School Mathematics competition. Shearin and Duong took second in the Algebra II division of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, while Lamberto-Egan took third.
``I had already covered some of the material in math and German,'' Shearin said. ``It was tough to get used to the level of class participation.''
Shearin and Duong are now in their last mathematics class at Choate. Now they must decide on their future courses, which could include classes at nearby Yale University.
They say the demands of Choate have prepared them well for the rigors of the Ivy League. Duong's day begins at 6 a.m. He handles six courses, including multivariable calculus. He also plays interscholastic football and belongs to a variety of clubs.
Shearin also works hard, but competes in athletics. He will run this spring on the Choate track team.
``This past winter, with all the ice and snow, it took a lot of determination to run every day,'' he said.
Off-time is rare at Choate.
``One of the things I miss is not really having your own time,'' said Shearin. ``You have to make time to enjoy your life.''
Both say they are undecided about their college choices and their respective majors.
``I'll either go into science or history,'' said Shearin. ``My most engaging class is American studies. It's a combination of American history and literature. The class puts each piece in an historical perspective.''
The students were invited by a former teacher - Frank Vrablic - to participate Friday in a calculus workshop held at Manteo High School via the information superhighway. Lamberto-Egan was not able to participate.
``It was fun to be back at the old school,'' Duong said. He said he may follow in the footsteps of his teachers after he finishes college.
``I think I'll move into something computer-related,'' he said. ``I may decide to pursue a teaching career. Other people ask me for help in certain areas, and I try to go slowly, making sure they understand. I want them to understand why they got the answer they did.''
Duong and his prep-school pals don't make a habit of talking about their gifts.
``We may seem gifted to other people. But to those who are more gifted, we may not be so smart.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by DREW WILSON, Staff
Townsend Duong participates in a calculus workshop held at Manteo
High School via the information superhighway.
by CNB