The New England Conference on Gifted and Talented was held in Rhode Island on October 20 & 21, 2006. MAGE Board members attended the conference and provided support by manning the registration table.

Of particular note was the presentation of two awards:

MAGE Board Member Dr. Laurence Osborne was awarded the New England Friend of the Gifted Award for Massachusetts. Larry serves as MAGE Clerk and the coordinator of our Nicholas Green Award. Larry has worked hard on other MAGE events including advocacy breakfasts, mini-conferences, annual meetings, Massachusetts’ NEC/GT Committee, and the NAGC Affiliate Conference, as well as serving the Massachusetts liaison to the Johns Hopkins Talent Search. Whenever an opportunity arises for G&T advocacy, Larry attends. From state forums on education, to testifying at the state house, to attending meetings of the Advisory Council on G&T to the Department of Education, Larry is an important ambassador for our advocacy efforts.

Additionally, we had the chance to once again recognize our 2005 Nicholas Green Award Winner, Lorenzo Conte. Laurence Osborne, MAGE Clerk, presented the 2006 Nicholas Green Distinguished Service Award. This is in coordination with the NAGC for distinguished achievement in academics, leadership, or the arts, in children grades 3 through 6. This year’s award recipient is Lorenzo Conte, a sixth grade student in the gifted program at Marsh Grammar School in Methuen. Lorenzo is a talented musician, leader and scholar. He was nominated by his teacher, Ann Jones, who praised him for his outstanding ability and intellectual humility.

MAGE Chair Diana Reeves presented a popular strand on Fostering Habits of Success: On the Journey of Life, Remember to PACK FIRST, which provided parents and educators with practical strategies.

Next year’s NEC/GT will be hosted by Maine Educators of the Gifted & Talented.

In 2008 it will be our turn to host! Interested in helping out? Contact President Susan Dulong Langley at sdlangley@aol.com for more information on how you can become part of the team!