The Georgia Governor’s Honors Program is an extensive summer program for high school upperclassmen from schools around Georgia. According to the GHP website, the program “is designed to provide students with academic, cultural, and social enrichment necessary to become the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators, and leaders.” Students attend for specific areas of study and spend the summer going to classes and participating in social opportunities. Not only does this experience show colleges that a student is prepared for future leadership opportunities, but it also helps them to see the extent to which the student cares about his or her studies.

Upcoming juniors and seniors at North Forsyth High School are nominated by teachers and then go through an extensive round of interviews that lasts for seven months. The process includes interviews on a school level, county level, an online interview and then the final round at Berry College with professors. Abby Marks, rising senior and upcoming GHP attendee, said that the hardest part was “knowing what to say in order to look the best and present yourself in the best way possible.” Marks said everyone was extremely stressed, but the best thing for her to do was to “stay calm and not overthink the interview questions.”

There are different areas of study which students can major in over the summer. They are nominated for a certain subject based on their performance in comparison to others. The subjects that each student goes to GHP to study differ, and each student must demonstrate that he or she has great knowledge about the topic which he or she is majoring in and must exceed above others. Austin Gazaway, a rising senior at North, is going to be attending GHP Summer of 2019 with a major in social studies. He looks forward to “meeting new people who share the same level of interest in my major.” Gazaway is expectant to “hear different viewpoints to help broaden [his] understanding of the topics [they] will be discussing.”

Mattie Hinckley, rising senior, is attending GHP Summer of 2019 for theatre and is “looking forward to meeting professors and professionals with real world experiences.” She is hoping to learn new techniques which will allow her to better contribute to the NFHS theatre department so that the department can grow as a community.

Harley McCullar, a former GHP attendee, believes the best advice he can give those attending GHP this summer is “to be all-in, explore new things, expand their comfort zones, and fully immerse themselves into the program.” McCullar went as an upcoming junior and majored in voice. McCullar expected there to be “flocks of nerds at every turn,” but was surprised when he discovered “lifelong friends who embrace others with open arms and open minds.”