Talent Development
Programs hosted by the St. Joseph County ISD
For more information, please contact Audra Franz, Executive Assistant for Instructional Leadership.
Clue-Me-In
Overview
Clue-Me-In is a book competition held annually for 4th thru 6th grade teams from local public and non-public schools. Teams prepare by reading, and re-reading, a set list of grade specific books. During competition, teams are given three clues by which they are challenged to guess the book being referenced. If guessed correctly, they are then given the opportunity to answer a bonus question about the book.
2026 Book Lists
2026 Competition Dates
4th Grade
- Monday, March 23, 2026
5th Grade
- Tuesday, March 24, 2026
6th Grade
- Wednesday, March 25, 2026
2025 Competition Results
4th Grade
- 1st Place - Centreville with 251 points
- 2nd Place - Nottawa with 250 points
- 3rd Place - Colon with 234 points
5th Grade
- 1st Place - Mendon with 312 points
- 2nd Place - Constantine with 299 points
- 3rd Place - Nottawa with 221 points
6th Grade
- 1st Place - Nottawa with 308 points
- 2nd Place - Constantine with 240 points
- 3rd Place - Sturgis with 222 points
Quiz Bowl
Overview
Available for middle school and high school students, Quiz Bowl is designed to encourage students to master information in the areas of current events, language arts, social studies, math, fine arts, science, and more. Fostering teamwork and cooperation are additional goals of this program. Schools compete in team events as well as head to head toss up rounds answering quiz questions both collaboratively and individually.
2026 Competition Dates
High School
- Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Middle School
- Thursday, February 26, 2026
2025 Competition Results
High School
- 1st Place: White Pigeon
- 2nd Place: Centreville
- 3rd Place: Sturgis
Middle School
- 1st Place: Three Rivers
- 2nd Place: Howardsville Christian
- 3rd Place: Sturgis
Young Authors Day
Overview
Young Authors Day promotes literacy and provides enrichment activities in the area of creative arts for students in grades 2 thru 5. Prior to attending, students write stories and then read them at Young Authors Day. Students are exposed to presentations by professionals focusing on literacy in their careers, i.e., theater, storytelling, technical writing, newspaper writing, etc.
Note: Due to the nature of this event, Young Authors Day is closed to spectators, parents, etc.
2026 Date
- Wednesday, May 6, 2026
2025 Presenters
- Author & Illustrator - Leslie Helakoski
- Author - Karen Bell-Brege
- Illustrator - Darrin Brege
Student Art Reception
Overview
Every Spring the ISD collects student art work from across the county to display in our administrative building during the following school year. To celebrate the exceptional artwork on display, we host a student art reception in the fall for students, families, and teachers.
2025 Art Reception Date
- Monday, September 29, 2025, 4:00 - 6:00pm at the St. Joseph County ISD
- Students with art on display will receive invitations in early September.
Programs open to St. Joseph County schools:
Science Olympiad
Overview
Science Olympiad is a regional competition (Region 10) that is hosted at Western Michigan University. It provides students the opportunity to explore the world of science through active hands-on, group participation. All events involve teamwork, group planning, and cooperation. This event hosts students from Middle and High Schools from Allegan, Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren Counties.
For more information on this program view the Michigan Science Olympiad site.
Contact Information
Marty Buehler