Released November 15, 2004

HATTIESBURG --The Saturday Gifted Studies Program will be conducted Jan. 15- Feb. 26, 2005, at The University of Southern Mississippi. The application deadline is Nov. 30, 2004. The program is sponsored by Purple Parrot Café and Crescent City Grill.

The program is designed to enhance cognitive and affective abilities of gifted students through planned enrichment/acceleration programming. The courses are scheduled for 9 a.m. - noon on each of these Saturdays.

Eligibility is based on either standardized test results or individually administered IQ tests. For specific requirements, visit the Web site or call the phone number listed below.

Applications may be obtained through local school personnel or by contacting the Frances A. Karnes Center for Gifted Studies, 118 College Drive #8207, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001; by phone at (601) 266-5236 or 266-5246; by e-mail at gifted.studies@usm.edu or by visiting http://www.usm.edu/gifted.

-30-