Thomas County Central High School has taken the first step toward a select group of its students being included in a prominent summer education program.
The school held a special reception to recognize its 2018 Governor’s Honors Program nominees Monday, Dec. 11.
"GHP is a unique opportunity for students who are able to attend,” TCCHS Assistant Principal Dr. James Rehberg said. “They get to meet and study among the state's best and brightest, adding their unique perspective and learning others' while making life-long friendships and connections. I believe all of our nominees are well-equipped to join the state's finest students and contribute to the GHP experience.”
Earlier this year, teachers were asked to nominate deserving students who showed exceptional talent and interest in their class.
TCCHS students selected for GHP consideration are: Nathaniel Bellamy in communicative arts; Emily Owens in mathematics; Zach Goff in science; Caleb Moore in music (brass); Brooklyn Reese in social studies; Zachary Sharpe in social studies; Joshua Stephens in science; Stephen Sykes in theater; Eric Webb in music (woodwind), and Benjamin Wilhelm in science.
Brooklyn Reese believes her passion for learning about history got her nominated.
“I like learning about history and how it impacted today, how the lives of people have changed so much from years and years ago,” she said.
She views her nomination as “a great honor” and is excited for the coming experience. She hopes to make it through the selection process and attend next year’s program.
“It would be an opportunity to learn and be with people who wish to learn about history, like me,” Reese said. “We would be taught things that are not normally taught in the classroom, and that would be exciting to learn about. Plus, it would be an experience similar to college and would be fun.”
Eric Webb is happy and honored to be nominated in the music field. Webb intends to pursue a music career. He calls GHP “a huge learning opportunity” and would appreciate the chance to further his playing ability and musical knowledge through program participation.
“I think I was chosen for it because of how hard I work in and out of band and how successful I've been on the bassoon in the short amount of time that I've been playing it,” he said. “I enjoy being able to continuously learn about technique on my instrument, music history, music theory and music from other cultures. I love being able to connect with people that I haven't met at events like District Honor Band or Region Honor Band and being connected to myself, the music and others in a way that nothing else compares to.”
Nathaniel Bellamy was “beyond excited and honored” to learn he’d been nominated.
“I knew that I was one of the few students out of hundreds that was selected to have a chance of a lifetime,” he said. “I believe I was nominated for my continuous urge to do my best in my class and the push I put forward not just in school but outside of school as well.”
Nominated in communicative arts, Bellamy is passionate about his subject and plans to pursue a film career.
“In order to excel in that area, I need to have a good bit of script writing and writing skills in general behind my back to really make a name for myself,” he said.
A reception was held following the recognition for nominees, their families and their recommending teachers.
Now that TCCHS has selected its nominees, these students must complete the rigorous GHP application process. The deadline for completed student online applications is Jan. 5, 2018. Semi-finalists are expected to be notified Jan. 26 and interviews will be held at Berry College in February. Finalists and alternates should be announced March 30.
“Over the coming weeks, we'll be doing our best to prepare them for the application submission and interview process in anticipation of them becoming finalists,” Rehberg said.
GHP will be held June 17–July 14 at Berry College.
If selected to attend the program, Bellamy says he’ll be “overwhelmed with satisfaction and joy” because he knows the opportunity would “…truly put my knowledge to the test.”
“This experience would encourage me and push me to be successful,” he said.