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 top scores in 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.
Who is recognized?
- Students
Select students (grades 4–12) who either, 1) earned top scores in the Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search (BESTS), 2) were selected to one of our scholarship programs, or 3) received special recognition in a Belin-Blank Center program.
- Teachers
Each honored student is given the opportunity to select an educator 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 at the Belin-Blank Center Recognition Ceremony 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.
How many students and teachers are honored?
Over 500 students and their teachers from throughout Iowa and the country are invited to participate in the annual Belin-Blank Center Recognition Ceremony.
When and where is the Recognition Ceremony?
Sunday, October 13, 2013, in the Main Lounge of the University of Iowa’s Memorial Union.
Have the letters of invitation been sent?
We are in the process of sending invitations.
What are the deadlines to RSVP?
TBD
How do we respond to the invitation?
We prefer that you respond online. Students and teachers will both need the registration URL and the email address that was used to register, which are included in the letter of invitation.
What if I cannot find my letter of invitation?
You may contact Rachelle Blackwell at the Belin-Blank Center and you will be provided the information you need to respond online.
Should I contact the teacher I want to invite?
We encourage you to contact the teacher you wish to honor. Making arrangements for attending the ceremony are the responsibility of the family and the teacher.
If I’m not able to attend, do I need to respond to the invitation anyway?
Yes, please. Students may invite teachers to be honored at the Belin-Blank Center Recognition Ceremony even if the student is not able to attend.
What if I am not able to attend the Belin-Blank Center Recognition Ceremony?
Invited students and teachers who are unable to attend the Recognition Ceremony will be sent a personalized certificate of recognition and a copy of the Recognition Ceremony Program after the event.
Will the newspapers receive information about my invitation to the Belin-Blank Center Recognition Ceremony?
We encourage you to submit a press release on your behalf to your local paper.
From where are the students coming?
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 only available to Iowa students. However, we have students and teachers travel from all parts of the U.S.!
Who else may attend the Belin-Blank Center Recognition Ceremony?
Seating in the Iowa Memorial Union is limited; therefore each honored student receives three guest passes, and each honored teacher receives one guest pass. Honored students and their honored teachers do not need a guest pass to attend the ceremony. Guest passes will be sent in September to those students and teachers who have responded saying they will attend the Belin-Blank Center Recognition Ceremony. Additional passes are available upon request.