Graphics and design teacher Dea Pool’s creativity and determination throughout high school made her a fit candidate for Governor’s Honors Program. “I was nominated for a couple of subjects, but pursued art. I was ecstatic about this nomination. I had learned what an honor GHP is through friends and teachers. I couldn’t have been happier just to be nominated,” Pool said.
By SOPHIE FERNANDES – Staff Writer
On Oct. 20, the finalized list of Governor’s Honor Program school finalists was named. As these students prepare for the state application round, graphics and design teacher Dea Pool reflects on her experience attending Georgia’s Governor’s Honors Program and how it impacted her life forever.
Sophie Fernandes: What do you know about Governors Honors Program?
Dea Pool: GHP is a highly competitive, academic summer program for students who excel in a specific subject area. The program is currently four weeks long and is located at Valdosta State University. Housing is provided via VSU dorms and food is provided in the cafeteria. The instruction is also free of charge. Students compete in one subject matter at the school level, the district level, and then the state level. If admitted, students attend the program for their specific subject area, taking four hours of class in their major every morning and then a couple of hours in a student-choice minor in the afternoon. Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities throughout the Summer, including dances and RA-led events, RAs are Resident Assistants assigned to different halls in each dorm.
SF: How did your own GHP experience impact you then and now as a teacher?
DP: As a student, my first experience at GHP was a little frightening. All throughout middle school and high school, I was used to being ‘the artist’ in each class. I was accustomed to teacher’s letting me ‘do my own thing’ – basically ignoring me – because I knew how to manipulate materials and I was already skilled in art. But when you’re at GHP, you’re no better than anyone else. Everyone who attends is amazing at that subject matter in their own way. So, for the first time in my educational career, I felt that my work was scrutinized. My professor in my very first GHP class said to me, ‘Hey, secretary. Go get me a coffee.’ I was so confused and looked around as if he must have been talking to someone else. But no, he told me again to get him coffee. And then he proceeded to explain to me that the way I was holding my pencil was not like an artist, but a secretary. For over a decade, I had been drawing this way because no one ever corrected me! I was the last person any of my art teachers thought needed correction. But in this class, I was finally given the attention I needed. At first, this experience was daunting. But I soon learned that I could become a much better artist and student under the instruction of professionals who were working with students of incredible ability. This affects my teaching today as I try my best to challenge my gifted students with thought-provoking extensions instead of ignoring them to focus only on other students.
SF: Can you paint a picture of what GHP was like for you and the long process of getting in? Describe to me the moment in which you found out you were accepted/ a special experience you can recall.
DP: Preparation for GHP interviews dominated much of my time in high school. During my freshman and sophomore years, I took several Advanced Placement classes and participated in very many extracurricular activities. However, building my portfolio for GHP became so demanding that I took a few steps back during my junior year to focus on art-making. For example, I took Honors US History instead of AP in order to lighten my workload. I still participated in Dance Team throughout high school, but dropped a few other clubs. I was determined to attend GHP, so I focused a lot of my time preparing for interviews and portfolio reviews. At the time, I went in 2006, Gwinnett County was conducting district-wide interviews that mimicked stated interviews in every way: each candidate met with a team of interviewers with a physical portfolio. I was expected to talk about my art, discuss my goals for the future, and explain why I deserved a spot at GHP. It was nerve-racking! If you made it past local interviews, you went on to state interviews several weeks later with a new committee – some of whom teach at GHP. The art department at Central Gwinnett where I went to high school would call in the candidates the morning that the results were posted online – they wanted to tell us in person instead of letting us find out from the website. I remember being called into the art department office and having my teacher say ‘Dea, I’m sorry to say this, but… you’ll have to spend 6 weeks in Valdosta this summer.’ At the time the program was longer, but budget cuts have shortened it since. I was heartbroken when she started that sentence, but I remember jumping up and spinning around dancing when she completed the thought.
SF: Can you tell me a little bit about the subject you majored in and the subject you minored in and what that was like at GHP?
DP: Art was my major and Spanish my minor.The art majors were at first separated into three groups, and the first three weeks were spent in structured classes. Each week, you would study with a different teacher, learning the discipline they’re most experienced with. For instance, Harry Ally taught us figure-drawing with charcoal, using a model who was his student at Valdosta State University. The last half of the art major, last three weeks, were student-directed. You went to whichever class you wanted to – and could change as often as you wanted to – and worked on whatever project you were interested in. I really took to the en caustic medium melted wax. A lot of people were interested in mixed media arts. Some of the students even went ‘dumpster-diving’ for materials to put in their artwork. I remember mixing paint with dirt and grass for added texture. We just did so much experimenting.
We started the Spanish minor renaming ourselves with Spanish names. I was Rosa, for instance. We then learned in a group setting a lot of things I hadn’t learned in Spanish classes in high school – more authentic, life-applicable learning. We were lucky that the World Cup was going on at the time. I remember the Spanish and French classes creating posters and t-shirts bashing the other country since Spain and France were playing each other in the World Cup. It was all in good fun.
SF: What did you leave GHP with? What did you learn?
DP: I left GHP with a hunger and curiosity for art-making. I learned to be independent, to take risks in my subject matter and materials, to draw inspiration from contemporary artists, and most of all, I learned to surround myself with people who would support me in my passion.
SF: Do you know who was nominated this year in fine arts for GHP?
DP: The final nominations for Fine Arts this year are: Toshiko Conine-Nakano for cello, Asela Eatenson for dance, Gabriel Mantione-Holmes for trumpet, and Isabelle Germain for theater.
SF: What qualities or characteristics does one show that gets nominated? (For example, what qualities did Phineas show to get nominated for graphics?)
DP: A GHP candidate is highly skilled in their craft; expresses a passion and depth of knowledge for the subject area; is self-directed; has multiple interests; engages on an adult-level; thinks creatively; wants to expand intellectually, socially, and artistically; is willing to take risks – and fail; has great character and interpersonal skills; puts very much thought and preparation into interviews and work; can conduct an interview with excellent vocal delivery.
SF: Do you know anything about the process of applying? Can you tell me the steps after the school interview?
DP: Each school and county does things a little differently at the earlier levels, but I can tell you at least how Clarke Central and Clarke County go about it in order- a teacher nominates a student or several students, departments conduct interviews, the school conducts interviews, and then the state conducts interviews. A selection committee then decides who goes for each subject.
SF: What advice would you give to someone attending GHP?
DP: The biggest piece of advice I could give to someone attending GHP is to take advantage of every last minute. Go to every dance, every play, every recital, and art show. Engage in the hall-wide activities your RA comes up with. The same goes for the classes – take advantage of all of your resources-the teachers, the students, the materials, the atmosphere.
SF: Is there anything else you would like to say?
DP: Yes, of a candidate does not make it past the first round or even past the second, it is not the end of the world! It is a huge honor just to be nominated for GHP and should definitely be added to college applications. As teachers, we try to encourage all students to work towards their goals whatever the outcome.
School Finalists advancing to next round:
Junior Avery Warner- Math
Junior Isabelle Germain- Drama
Junior Asela Eatenson- Dance
Junior Sakura Goodie- Communicative Arts
Sophomore Neha Mohanty- Science
Sophomore Martha Mayfield- Social Studies
Sophomore Toshiko Conine-Nakano- Orchestra
Sophomore Gabriel Mantione-Holmes- Band
