A total of 19 students from Fayette’s public high schools have been selected to attend the 2019 Governor’s Honors Program (GHP). These students will attend the program on the campus of Berry College June 16-July 13.

The following students are among the 2019 state finalists: (Fayette County High) Bella Alonzo, communicative arts; Jan Matthew Morano, engineering; Logan Shanks, social studies; (McIntosh High) Chaemin Park, music; Irene Song, dance; Roachel Cox, world languages; Robert Palla, mathematics; Samuel Triplett, engineering; Tyler Schmidt, world languages; (Sandy Creek High) Skyler Bugg, music; (Starr’s Mill High) Hiyori Yokosawa, communicative arts; John Walraven, science; Olivia Hermann, social studies; Trey Orndorff, music; Zachary Livsey, social studies; (Whitewater High) Jameson Collins, music; and Morgan Pettis, biology.

GHP is a four-week intensive study program with coursework and activities structured to stretch and challenge students beyond the normal classroom experience. Acceptance into the program is very competitive. The state receives over 3,000 applications from sophomores and juniors each year and approximately 20 percent or less are invited to attend. Those chosen have demonstrated creativity and giftedness in academic or creative fields, superior ability in their area of study, and the social and emotional maturity required to thrive in an intensive, residential setting for the duration of the program. The Governor’s Honors Program is fully funded by the Georgia General Assembly, so there is no charge for students to attend.

Nomination to the program is a multi-part process beginning at the school system level to determine the nominees who are invited to complete a state application. The Governor’s Office of Student Achievement selects a limited number of students to interview at the state level. Finalists are selected from this final group.