Juniors, McKenzie Stinson and Dillon Staples recently received some good news.

Both Stinson and Staples were pleased to find out they had been selected to participate in the 2011 Governor’s Scholars Program.

The Governor’s Scholar program (GSP) is a prestigious summer residential program for outstanding high school students in Kentucky that are preparing to enter their final year of high school.

The mission of the program is “to enhance Kentucky’s next generation of civic and economic leaders.”  The core curriculum for the summer sessions will include general studies, including a service-learning component, seminars, and a major subject of study based on the scholar’s preferences.

Selection for GSP is rigorous and competitive, with only 1000 students state-wide being selected to participate each year.  In order to participate in the program, students must be nominated by their high schools and then compete against other students in the state based on various criteria including, an academic profile, GPA, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, volunteer service, job history, teacher recommendations, and an original essay.