Renton student Kaia Bjarke was recently honored at a statewide awards ceremony for gifted children held by The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth.

Bjarke, a student in Renton School District’s H.O.M.E. (Homeschool Opportunities for Merging Education) Program was invited to the awards ceremony based on her exceptional performance on a rigorous, above-grade-level test given to second through eighth grade Talent Search participants.

The results of these tests give families a better idea of a child’s academic talents. Test scores may also qualify students for the Center for Talented Youth programs.

The Center for Talented Youth Talent Searches are open to elementary and middle school students from September through November. Students test in December or January. For more information, visit http://cty.jhu.edu.