7 named GHP semifinalists

Published 9:10 pm Thursday, February 16, 2017

MOULTRIE, Ga. — Seven Colquitt County students were recently named semifinalists for the Governor’s Honors Program (GHP), a four-week residential gifted summer program for rising juniors and seniors.

Colquitt County High School sophomores Victoria Barber and Kaitlyn Hart and juniors Patti Mitchell and Mary Logan Tostenson were selected as semifinalists in agricultural science. Sophomores Haley Boyd and Samuel Kundi were chosen in vocal music and mathematics, respectively. Junior Caleb Bazel, a local homeschool student, was selected in social studies.

Stephanie Terrell, principal of Colquitt County High School, said reaching this level indicates more than intelligence and skill.

“The students selected are not just exceptionally talented in their areas but are also among the most passionate,” said Terrell. “I am so proud to see our students recognized for all of their gifts and abilities.”

Allen Edwards, director of 6-12 Gifted Education for Colquitt County, agreed. “It is an honor for a student just to be nominated for GHP, let alone to make it through the first round of cuts,” said Edwards. “Being chosen for the semifinalist pool places these students in the top 0.6-percent of students in the state of Georgia.”

Edwards also noted how unusual it is to have four semifinalists from one area.

“We nominated four students in agricultural science and all four were selected,” he said. “That is a real testament to the quality of our ag education program here in Colquitt County.”

According to its website, the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA), which coordinates the program, says GHP “offers instruction that is significantly different from the typical high school classroom that is designed to provide students with the academic, cultural and social enrichment necessary to become the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators and leaders.”

During their four weeks on campus at Berry College, students attend classes in their particular discipline in the mornings and choose from a wide variety of enrichment classes for the afternoon sessions. At night, students participate in social functions directed by GHP instructors. Besides transportation to and from interviews and the program itself, there is no cost to students to participate.

The state of Georgia has more than a quarter of a million high school sophomores and juniors. From that group, a little over one-percent of students were nominated from Georgia’s public and private schools and homeschool population.

Nominees completed an extensive application requiring class transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendations, and several short-answer and essay questions. GOSA then evaluated the applications and made cuts to create a pool of semifinalists.

Later this month, the seven students will interview for one of about 700 finalist spots, which will place them in the top 0.3-percent in the state. Last year, Colquitt County had two students reach that level, Zach Holland in agricultural science and Bryce Mathis in social studies, both of whom participated in GHP this past summer.

GHP is one of the few remaining governor’s schools that once existed across the country but were shuttered due to tightening education budgets.

“I hold my breath every year during the state legislative session, hoping GHP will continue to receive funding,” said Edwards, noting the state cut the program from six weeks to four weeks a few years ago. “Programs like this are beneficial for all students, of course, but they are especially important to rural areas like ours to provide students an opportunity to see beyond the county line to a world of ideas just waiting to be discovered.”