The 2015 Governor’s Honors Program took place at Valdosta State University. Pictured are the 2015 Social Studies majors. “(GHP) was a glimpse into the real world, full of diversity, talent and intelligence,” Valdosta High School senior and GHP 2015 social studies major Lorna Chitty said. “The students and teachers were amazing, the freedom was refreshing and the environment was constantly stimulating.” Photo courtesy of Ben Crosby.
By HANNAH GALE – Staff Writer
Governor’s Honors Program is a summer enrichment program located in Valdosta, Ga. for rising juniors and seniors nominated in a variety subjects ranging from fine arts to core classes.
Governor’s Honors Program is a summer enrichment program for rising juniors and seniors and is located at Valdosta State University where the participants live on campus for four weeks. In 2015, 679 applicants were selected to participate. GHP was founded in 1964 and is completely funded by the Georgia General Assembly, so there is no cost to participate.
According to The Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, GHP is “designed to provide students with academic, cultural, and social enrichment necessary to become the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators, and leaders.”
“(GHP) was a glimpse into the real world, full of diversity, talent and intelligence,” Valdosta High School senior and 2015 GHP social studies major Lorna Chitty said. “The students and teachers were amazing, the freedom was refreshing and the environment was constantly stimulating.”
There are more than 10 programs of study students can be nominated in, ranging from the core classes to agricultural science, communicative arts, dance, engineering, music, theatre, visual arts, and world languages. Students can be nominated in more than one subject, but they have to choose one major. However, they are allowed to minor in a subject along with their major.
“(Finalists) get to study the content that they were nominated in, but they also get to have a minor. So, they get to explore a second interest that they have,” English for Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) teacher and CCHS GHP Coordinator Jodi Bolgla said.
At Clarke Central High School, teachers nominate students in each department to participate in GHP. Students then participate in departmental interviews, where teachers in each department narrow down applicants in their subject to two based on their interview and transcript.
“I think (nominees need) just a lot of preparation for the interviews and being confident and trying to be as detailed as you can in the interviews is a really, really important part (of the application process),” senior Seong Hyun Han said.
After two students from each department are chosen, the applicants then go to a school interview. CCHS pairs up with Cedar Shoals High School and the two schools decide the top 15 students.
“Right now we’re having a fist fight over (which school is) gonna get that eighth spot this year,” Bolgla said.
The 15 students that are put forward by CSHS and CCHS submit an online application to the GOSA. If the GOSA accepts the applicant, the student then goes to a semifinalist interview in Metro Atlanta where the GHP finalists and alternates are chosen.
“They have extremely talented teachers and professors, and I just think it gives them a chance to expand their knowledge and explore and be independent with their learning,” Bolgla said.
While at GHP, students learn to become more independent and prepared if they choose to go off to college in the next couple of years. Students are introduced to top instructors and peers who are knowledgeable in their subject areas.
Chitty gives a word of advice for students going through the application process.
“Emphasize why you need GHP and why GHP needs you” Chitty said. “Don’t dwell as much on your past accomplishments, but on what you can offer to the program and what you will be able to gain if accepted.”
