CARTERSVILLE, Ga., March 23, 2015–Four students from the Bartow County School System
were accepted into the prestigious Governor’s Honors Program 2015. James Shores, Music
Brass: Trombone; Timothy Howard, Dance and Aleigha Burt, Theatre; all of Woodland High
School, are the three finalist who will attend GHP in mid-June. Hayley Rollins of Adairsville
High School was selected as an alternate for Communicative Arts.
Shores said he spent many hours practicing for the audition and looks forward to the experience.
Howard has high expectations for the program. “I know several people who have attended GHP
and they said it changed their life and took them to the next level in dance,” he said.
According to the GHP website, the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program is a residential summer
program for gifted and talented high school students who will be rising juniors and seniors
during the program. The program offers instruction that is significantly different from the typical
high school classroom. It is designed to provide students with academic, cultural and social
enrichment necessary to become the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators, and
leaders.
For one month during the summer, GHP participants will live on college or university campus.
Valdosta State University will house the program this year, as they have for many years. Classes
are held in the mornings and afternoons, while various social and instructional opportunities are
offered in the evenings.
The criteria require students to demonstrate “exceptional skill, creativity and knowledge in the
area of nomination.” Academic performance and “social maturity” are vital attributes in
surviving the selection process.
The state receives nearly 3,000 applications annually and accepts 20 percent of candidates.