The Governor’s Scholars Program (GSP) is a nationally recognized five-week summer residency program, which offers outstanding high school juniors the opportunity to study and interact with faculty members from three of Kentucky’s colleges. It is not high school; it is not college; it is education at its best. The Governor’s Scholars Program has worked to create an intellectual community of scholars without the pressures of academic performance, without the boundaries of a classroom, and without the structure of a curriculum. All members of this community join the program out of their love for learning. During the five-week summer journey, they share ideas, discuss topics of interest, brainstorm for solutions, and further develop their sense of civic responsibility.
The program’s mission is to enhance Kentucky’s next generation of civic and economic leaders. Both the selection process and the curriculum reflect this mission. The nomination, application, and selection of students is a rigorous process that begins in the high school districts across Kentucky. Selection continues at the state level, where panels of judges read each section of the application blindly. The idea behind this extremely competitive process is to select well-rounded students who have demonstrated the potential to become leaders in a number of areas, including academic achievement and community engagement. The selection reflects a balance between academic performance, honors and awards, and civic engagement. In addition, all applicants submit writing entries and teacher recommendations to enhance their profiles. The scholars who are selected to attend the program do so at no cost to themselves or their families.
Governor’s Scholars will balance a busy academic schedule in the sciences, mathematics, humanities, and the arts with a variety of co-curricular activities and a rich residential life. They will participate in community involvement projects, seminars, and other activities that are often initiated by the students themselves.
This year, nine Logan County High School students received the news they had been chosen to participate in the program. They are as follows:
Trevor Brown is the son of Jason and Dee Dee Brown. Trevor plans on pursuing a four year degree at the University of Kentucky and majoring in Computer Science and Computer Engineering and then attending MIT or Carnegie Mellon to obtain a PhD in Computer Science. His activities include: President of FBLA, Co-President of STLP, Co-Vice President of SkillsUSA at Russellville ATC, Logan Liaison, Member of Beta Club, Student Council, International Club, Cougars for Christ, YES Club, and Energy Team. His afterschool activities: Cashier at Piggly Wiggly, Member of Middleton Baptist Church and works on computers. His additional career goals include working at a computer/consumer electronics company like Apple or Sony and eventually creating his own computer/consumer electronics company.
Will Hughes is the son of Chris and Melanie Hughes. Will plans on attending college at Campbellsville University or the University of Kentucky. He is a member of the Logan County FFA Chapter, BETA, Cougars for Christ, YES Club and Student Council . He plays tennis and soccer at LCHS. He attends Liberty Baptist Church where he is very involved in church activities such as the praise team and the youth group. He has been on mission trips to Cincinnati and Memphis and is going on a mission trip to Haiti this summer. He plays guitar and sports in his free time.
Kaitlyn Jernigan is the daughter of David and Stacey Jernigan. Kaitlyn is undecided as to which university she will attend, but plans to major in dental hygiene. She is involved in cheerleading at Logan County High, secretary of FBLA and a member of Beta, FCCLA, HOSA, and the YES club. She attends Elk Lick Baptist Church where she is active in the youth group through mission trips to Haiti and in the future plans to go to an Indian Reservation in Oklahoma. She also participates in community service projects such as cleaning up roads, leading Vacation Bible School, collecting food for others, and helping with Operation Christmas Child.
Logan Johnson is the son of Rob and Julie Johnson. Logan plans to attend Western Kentucky University and major in Physical Therapy. He plays soccer and tennis for LCHS and is on the swim team. He is a member of FFA, Beta, International Club, YES Club, Student Council and is an officer in Cougars for Christ. He attends Southern Heights Baptist Church where he leads the youth praise team and participates in mission trips, camps, and community outreach. He likes to play sports, go to church, read, and play piano and the ukulele. He enjoys giving back to the community by going on trash pick-ups, Christmas caroling, and coaching UPWARD basketball. He is on the all A honor roll, has lettered in Varsity for soccer, tennis, and swimming, and was chosen to go to the HYPE 2012 Student Athlete Leadership/Sportsmanship Conference.
Cody McLellan is the son of Robby and Debbie McLellan. Cody plans to attend the University of Kentucky, but is currently undecided on a major. His school activities include basketball, soccer, Beta, Student Council, Cougars for Christ, Skills USA, YES club and the American Private Enterprise System program. His community activities include being a member of Dripping Spring Baptist Church and the Haiti mission trip 2012. He enjoys playing guitar, participating in Olmstead changers (volunteer work in the community) and looks forward to attending GSP 2013.
Courtney McReynolds is the daughter of Barry and Debbi McReynolds. Courtney plans on attending Murray State University and pursuing a Veterinarian Tech degree. She is a member of the Logan County Beta chapter, vice president of Cougars for Christ and FBLA, a member of the YES club and FCCLA. She is a member of the Logan County Ambassador program and has participated in many community events through this. She also plays soccer for LCHS. She attends Southern Heights Baptist Church and participates in many youth activities such as being the missions director for the Awana program. She enjoys volunteer community work, participating in community outreach with the youth group and coaching Upward basketball teams every year. She has been on mission trips to Nicaragua, Haiti, and various other places. She plans on going back to Haiti this coming June before leaving for GSP.
Adam Wilkins is the son of Mark and Jane Wilkins. Adam plans to attend college at the University of Kentucky or Western Kentucky University and major in nursing or pre-med. His school activities include being a member of FBLA, member of the YES Club, Executive Committee member of the BETA Club, member of Student Council (Vice President), President of the Junior Class, LCHS Student Ambassador, incoming 2nd Vice President of the FFA, member of the varsity basketball team, Co-Captain of the varsity tennis team and an officer of Cougars for Christ. He is also a member of the Southern Heights Baptist Church and the youth group there. In his free time, he loves to play many sports such as basketball, tennis, golf, archery and soccer. He also likes to play the guitar, go fishing and hang out with friends and the church youth group.
William T. Cunningham is the son of William S. and Sheila A. Cunningham. Will has been selected to attend this summer’s 2013 Governor’s School for the Arts with a focus on musical theatre. After graduation, he plans to attend college and pursue a degree in performing arts. Will takes part in all local musical theatre projects that are available to him. He enjoys playing music with the LCHS concert band. Will, when with friends, also enjoys playing various instruments, such as guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, percussion, harmonica, and the ocarina. William’s life revolves around music, acting, singing and dancing, but most of all his family and friends. He attends New Life Baptist church in Auburn and is a part of the praise and worship team. Will would like to thank all of his friends and family that have encouraged him to pursue what he loves to do. He looks forward to three weeks of his summer filled with experience in the arts and forming new friendships. He hopes to bring his knowledge of the theatre back to his local community and put it to good use.
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