Fifty-one years after being selected to take part in the Project Talent study of American high school students, the class of 1961 from Bainbridge High School is being asked to participate once again, just as the Class of 1960 did last year.

In 1960, 400,000 students took part in Project Talent, a study of the aptitudes and abilities, hopes and expectations of high school students from across America. The study was conducted by the American Institutes for Research (AIR) and the U.S., Office of Education. Now the original Project Talent participants, including Bainbridge High School’s class of 1961, are being asked to tell their stories in a follow-up study being planned by AIR.

“The Project Talent generation is very important in the history of the country,” said Sabine Horner, Project Talent’s director of outreach and communications. “They came of age during an era of great upheaval and they transformed the United States as we knew it. Project Talent is an opportunity to share their perspectives and experiences in a meaningful way that can benefit future generations.”

Large studies that follow people from adolescence to retirement are both rare and extremely valuable. They allow researchers to make connections between early life experiences and later life outcomes. New information gained from a 50-year follow-up study can help researchers and policy makers understand how family and educational background impact the life course, up to and including the retirement process. Researchers can also learn why certain people stay healthier and happier and are more able to enjoy their later life.

Members of the class of 1961 from Bainbridge High School are being asked to contact AIR to register their interest and provide details of where they can be contacted to receive further information.

Project Talent is also interested in information about upcoming 50th reunions for the class of 1961. You can call the project on 1-866-770-6077, or send an email to projectalent50@air.org. You can also visit the Project Talent website: www.projecttalent.org.