Clarke County Students Chosen for Governor's Honors Program

Eight students from and high schools will be attending the Governor’s Honors Program this summer, school district officials said Tuesday.

Held on the campus of Valdosta State in South Georgia, the program is a residential summer program for gifted and talented high school juniors and seniors. 

“These students excel in a variety of areas, and they are most deserving of this honor,” said Superintendent Philip D. Lanoue. “As ambassadors for our school district, I know they will do a great job representing Clarke County.”

Officials with the Georgia Department of Education, which runs the Governor’s Honors Program, interviewed more than 2,900 students from across the state during three weekends in January and February. They chose 690 finalists to participate in the 2012 program.

The program is fully funded by the Georgia General Assembly and free to attend. Students are on the Valdosta State campus from Jun. 24 until late July.

The schedule has them spending the morning in their major area of nomination, exploring topics not usually found in the regular high school classroom. During the afternoons, students study in other areas. Evenings are devoted to seminars, activities, concerts and performances.

“GHP is such a competitive program that even being nominated is an accomplishment,” said Director Dale Lyles. “I congratulate the students of the Clarke County School District and look forward to meeting them and their parents in June.” 

Attending from Cedar Shoals are:

Akshay Hariani  (mathematics), Erin Hollander (biology), Duncan Robertson (French horn), Veronika Rzucidio (Spanish), Preston Stanfield (Trumpet).

From Clarke Central are: Matthew Dellaria (social studies), Katie Googe (communicative arts), Nida Javid (biology).