PTHS juniors Elena Adkins, Bella Brown, Fiona Caywood, Xan Copper, Azlyn Goodyke, Reagan Hartman, Jacob Julian, Henry Stratemeyer, and Corban Williams have been accepted to the 2023 Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program.
A total of 1,687 applications from high school juniors across the state were submitted this year, out of which sixty percent were accepted. The number of candidates each district may submit to the statewide process is based on the district-wide junior class enrollment. This year, PTHS was allowed to submit nine candidate applications to the state level and all nine were accepted to the program.
The Governor’s Scholars Program is a summer residential program for outstanding rising high school seniors in Kentucky. This year’s sessions will be hosted by Murray State University in Murray, Centre College in Danville, and Morehead State University in Morehead.
In order to participate in the Program, students must be nominated by their high schools and then compete on a state-wide level. Selection for the program is highly competitive, with an application process similar to that of prestigious colleges and universities. In addition to an academic profile that includes difficulty of course load, GPA, and at least one standardized test score, the application requires an outline of all extracurricular activities, a history of volunteer service, and a list of job positions held. Also required is a teacher recommendation which includes both a quantitative evaluation and qualitative descriptions of the student’s performance and potential, as well as a community recommendation which shows how a student performs in a community setting beyond the high school. The final component of the application is an original writing entry.
The core curriculum for the program consists of a focus area of the student’s choosing, general studies classes, and seminars. Faculty and staff also invite a variety of speakers and performers from a range of disciplines and pursuits to visit campus. The scholars are challenged to examine and nurture their sense of learning and leadership. The program’s mission is to enhance Kentucky’s next generation of civic and economic leaders.
“It’s a true testament to the excellence of Tilghman’s academics and the high caliber of our students that 100% of our candidates were accepted to this prestigious program,“ said Will Black, Assistant Superintendent of Paducah Public Schools. “We are so proud of these nine students and know that each one of them will make a unique and wonderful contribution to the GSP community.”
Congratulations, PTHS scholars, on your acceptance to this prestigious program!
Pictured L to R: Bella Brown, Elena Adkins, Azlyn Goodyke, Xan Copper, Henry Stratemeyer, Jacob Julian, Fiona Caywood, Çorban Williams, Reagan Hartman