Adapted from the CCAGTC Roots & Wings email newsletter (Constant Contact). Headers below mirror major sections from the original issue.
Parenting a gifted child is critical in shaping a future filled with purpose and possibility. While in many communities, children believe that becoming a sports superstar is the best way to achieve greatness, parents recognize that academic achievement opens numerous doors to success. However, for many gifted children, especially those from underrepresented communities, the key to success isn’t choosing between academics and athletics—it’s learning how they can work together.
As a parent, you can provide both academic and athletic opportunities. When properly aligned, they can develop a well-balanced career-achieving path. School offers a structured learning experience that allows students to learn multiple subjects through a progressive repetition process. For example, in any class course, you are provided a curriculum and book on the first day. The subject matter in the book is reviewed, studied, and discussed incrementally through sentences, paragraphs, pages, and chapters. You can study alone, or you can study with others as determined by the instructor. Comprehension is measured through class assignments, homework assignments, quizzes, tests, and exams. A grade determines your level of understanding. You evaluate your performance and adjust accordingly. Regardless of the subject, the same process applies.
In athletics, the process is similar. You pick a specific sport, and you first understand the rules and how the game is played. The next step is to establish a training regimen. It can be an individual or in a team environment. For example, I chose track and field. To perform well, there was an expectation of daily practice. Each day, a specific workout routine was required. As you attend each exercise and each session, the minutes, hours, days, weeks, and months of training activity accumulate. The incremental steps taken have improved your skill, speed, stamina, strength, endurance, and mental levels. Your measurement of success is based on your performance. Time trials or track meets determined your level of achievement. You evaluate your performance and determine the next steps. Regardless of the sport, the same process applies.
This skill set includes resilience, responsibility, and resourcefulness. It develops confidence and self-esteem, as well as teamwork and leadership skills.
Athletics and academics aren’t separate. Together, they build the habits, mindset, and confidence you need to succeed. As the parent of a gifted child with multiple talents—embrace them all. Let their physical discipline sharpen their mental skills. Help them to use their intellectual gifts to think strategically in sports. Whether they’re on the field, in a classroom, or leading a team—you’re helping them prepare for greatness.
Author: Cecil Fields, Senior Manager, The Boeing Company, Product Lifecycle Management (ret.)
Read the Kids Page to see how students strike a balance between activities they love and school work. Visit the CCAGTC website for more.
We are proud to celebrate two remarkable educators who were recently inducted into the CCAGTC Trailblazers Hall of Fame:
Dr. Elaine Parker Gills — Adjunct Professor of Liberal Studies and African American Studies at Antioch University, Consultant, and Co-Founder of the W.E.B. Du Bois Academic Institute.
Donna Palmer — Retired LAUSD GATE Coordinator, Editor of Roots & Wings, Roots Column Writer, and active member of The Society, Incorporated, an organization dedicated to enhancing, exposing, and promoting youth in the arts.
These visionary women have been recognized for their lifelong commitment to ensuring that African American and Latino children received the support and opportunities they deserved—beginning their advocacy in the early 1980s. The Trailblazers Hall of Fame honors their enduring legacy and tireless dedication to educational equity.
Thank You to All Who Made “Envisioning Excellence” a Success! Central Cities Association for Gifted & Talented Children
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s Virtual Symposium: Envisioning Excellence. Your presence, insight, and commitment to supporting gifted and talented children made the event truly meaningful.
A special thank you to our inspiring Keynote Panel:
We also proudly honored this year’s outstanding individuals:
Thank you once again for your continued support in envisioning excellence for all children. Together, we are creating brighter futures.
The CCAGTC Annual Virtual Symposium on June 22, 2025 honored Elaine Parker Gills with the Visionary Award and Donna Palmer with the Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr. Monique Thompson with the Mental Health Professional of the Year Award, and Jheri Murdock as Parent of the Year. Summer scholarship awardees were also celebrated.
Scholarship highlights (as listed in the newsletter):
Back to School Health Fair to provide hundreds of young people with free resources to help them succeed when they return to campus. Pre-register by calling (323) 290-0456 or emailing mothersinactioninc@aol.com.
More events: https://ccagtc.org/events
Email info@ccagtc.org or call 323-750-6559 for additional information. CCAGTC is a nonprofit 501(c)(3).