(CHARLOTTE COCHRAN/ THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)
Oglethorpe County High School nominated nine students in six areas of study for the Governor’s Honors Program this year.
For Jennifer Yauck, a science instructional coach and gifted coordinator at OCHS, the varied nomination areas sets this group apart from previous years.
“I’m very proud,” she said. “This year, we have really sent forward a diverse group of nominees across fine arts, career, technical and academic(s).”
The nominees include Lilah Hall in theatre, Riley Henderson and Maeve Haydock in visual arts, Kassie Mathews in science, Landon Howard in agricultural research, Bayleigh McElhannon in world languages, and Victor Ross, Jeffrey Molina and Eli Austin in mathematics.
The Georgia Governor’s Honors Program is a residential summer program where high school sophomores and juniors attend classes and activities beyond what’s offered in a typical high school classroom.
After being nominated, the nine students can apply for the program.
“While they’re there, they get to interact with a peer group and with instructors,” Yauck said. “They do original research, different projects and performances related to the area in which they’re nominated.”
Mathews, a sophomore specifically nominated in chemistry, said she aims to earn a doctorate in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences, and develop medicine.
“It means a lot (to be nominated) because it’s starting me on my career path, and is really going to help me in the future to reach my goals,” Mathews said.
The local nomination itself is an achievement.
According to the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, “Potential nominees should demonstrate exceptional skills and talent in academic or creative fields … and the social and emotional maturity required to thrive in an intensive, residential setting for the duration of the program.”
Haydock, a sophomore, said she’s looking for every opportunity to get involved with the visual arts.
“Art has always been an outlet to draw a favorite character, really involve it with the other stuff in my life,” Haydock said. “Drawing things from games or shows, it’s just always kind of been woven in with everything.”
Henderson, a junior, hopes to combine her interest in biology and visual arts in college.
“I’m planning on more biology, but with fine arts and visual arts attached to it,” Henderson said. “Like drawing or figuring out what past dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals may have looked like.”
Austin, a sophomore, said he hopes to attend Georgia Tech and sees the program as an opportunity to prepare himself for college.
“I’m shy, so before moving into college, it’d be nice to get a sort of similar experience to know what to expect,” Austin said.
Austin also expressed gratitude toward his parents — and Yauck — regarding the nomination.
“She’s really supportive of all her students, and she makes it a point to help them succeed,” Austin said.