Breaking news: 2026 GHP finalists released

A graphic shows the 2026 Georgia Governor’s Honors Program finalists and alternate from Clarke Central High School. CCHS junior Jovi Grantham, a GHP dance major, found out about her finalist status on March 20 along with the other semifinalists. “Meeting the other dancers from different regions at GHP and being able to grow with them through this experience is one of the things that I’m most excited about,” Grantham said. “I (will) get to be around so many talented dancers with different backgrounds. I think exposure to that will help my growth as a dancer.” Graphic by Sasha Barkan, photos courtesy of the Gladius yearbook

Eight 2026 Georgia Governor’s Honors Program finalists and one alternate from CCHS were announced on March 20 in preparation for the 2025 GHP session, which will take place from June 14 to July 11, at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Ga.

Eight Clarke Central High School finalists and an alternate for the 2026 Georgia Governor’s Honors Program, a four-week academic summer enrichment program that will take place from June 14 to July 11 at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Ga., were named on March 20.

GHP accepts both rising juniors and seniors, all of whom are nominated for the program under a specific major. CCHS finalists went through department and school-level nomination processes before attending semifinalist events, in which students engaged interviews and other content-related evaluations, on either Feb. 28 or March 14, depending on the student’s subject area. Students were then guided through the selection process by CCHS GHP site coordinator Jodi Bolgla.

“(Finalists) have freedom to explore on their own terms (outside) the curriculum that the Georgia Board of Education dictates to students,” Bolgla said. “(Finalists that attend GHP can) explore their interest in a more student-driven way, rather than a state-mandated curriculum way.”`

A graphic shows deadlines and event dates for the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program process, which will take place from June 14-July 11 at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Ga.. Finalists for the program, eight of whom are from Clarke Central High School, were named on March 20, following semifinalists interviewing events that took place on both Feb. 28 and March 14, depending on students’ major. “I hope that (finalists) gain an opportunity to explore their passion (with) freedom to create something through their interests,” CCHS GHP site coordinator Jodi Bolgla said. “I hope that they meet like-minded students from all over the state who have different perspectives from them, but that they are tied to (through) their interest in the topic. GHP students always come back saying that they made lifelong friends.” Graphic by Sasha Barkan

There are 12 majors offered at GHP, with CCHS finalists’ majors ranging from agriculture research, biotechnology and sciences to music to visual arts. CCHS junior Jovi Grantham will attend GHP as a dance major, expanding on her previous dance instruction from the East Athens Educational Dance Center and Ballethnic Academy of Dance.

“(On March 20), I was really eager to find (my admission status). I was really anxious and excited the whole week,” Grantham said. “When I opened up my account and saw that it said ‘Finalist,’ I was literally yelling and running around my house. I was so happy and proud of myself.”

“I hope that (finalists) meet like-minded students from all over the state who have different perspectives from them, but that they are tied to (through) their interest in the topic. GHP students always come back saying that they made lifelong friends.”

— Jodi Bolgla,
CCHS GHP site coordinator

The finalists were chosen out of approximately 4,000 nominees, 22 of which were from the Clarke County School District. The eight finalists will join students from across Georgia, which Bolgla believes will enrich the students’ perspectives.

“I hope that they meet like-minded students from all over the state who have different perspectives from them, but that they are tied to (through) their interest in the topic. GHP students always come back saying that they made lifelong friends,” Bolgla said. “It’s good for all of those students to learn about other people’s practices and what kinds of things drive them in the field that they’re interested in, and the kinds of experiences that they bring to (GHP).”

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