“GHP would be an amazing opportunity to experience new techniques, a variety of different mediums, and a classroom full of people who share the same interest,” said junior Anna Weaver about her recent accomplishment of being selected to move onto the state interviews for Governor’s Honors Program.  

GHP is a three-week overnight summer program at Valdosta State University where rising juniors and seniors attend classes relating to a subject that plays to their strengths and passion.  Each student attending the program has a unique talent or gift that ranges from foreign languages, fine arts or academic subjects.

To be nominated for GHP, a teacher must first recommend the student in a certain subject area. The student must accept the nomination, and then the student moves onto the county part of the audition. This year, seven juniors passed the county audition and will move onto the state level auditions.

The students just submitted their applications for state, which included essays and information about their work outside of school in their subject of interest. The semi-finalists will be chosen on Jan. 15 for the state-level interviews, and they will have their final interview in mid-February. The finalists will be notified March 25, and these students will attend the program.  

Students representing Starr’s Mill are Derek Camacho, math; Ethan Roland, social studies; Anna Weaver, visual arts; Caroline Poole, vocals; Sophia Quinones-Villas, science; Madison Hagen, German, and Jillian Ruvalcaba, theater.

“I was nervous because I knew that I was going to be compared to some of the most brilliant people in the state,” Camacho said. “However, I can take confidence in myself because I was also selected to move on to state competition.”

Ruvalcaba is more excited than nervous for the upcoming audition. “Honestly, I can’t even believe I made it this far! I am beyond humbled and so, so excited for the chance of going to GHP,” said Ruvalcaba.

Every student has at least one subject he or she feels strongly about, and typically there is a reason for the student’s passion. Camacho loves math because “math is the universal language that makes science possible,” Camacho said.

Quinones-Villas agrees with Camacho. “ Learning about the different forms of science helps me understand how everything functions,” Quinones said.

Both Weaver and Poole are passionate for their talent because they can express themselves through it. “I enjoy visual arts because they are my outlet in that I can really express myself through art,” Weaver said.

Poole agrees, “music is the area in which I can confidently express myself.”

GHP has a rigorous audition process. The students who try to make it into GHP have a reason for doing so that stems beyond the walls of high school. “I want a better sense on what it means to act. There’s still so much that I don’t know, but I’m definitely willing to learn,” Ruvalcaba said. She looks up to senior Alexa Echevarria, who attended GHP last year for acting. Ruvalcaba has been continuously questioning Echevarria for insight and advice.  “She’s always calming me down when I get nervous thinking about GHP,” Ruvalcaba said.

Ruvalcaba is not the only nervous Panther as the other nominees just submitted their online applications to the state level and now await their fate.

All of the students are now focusing solely on this part of the competition. “Since I am now closer to acceptance, I am even more motivated to work hard on my application and interview,” Poole said.