This past summer, nine students from BGHS joined approximately 1,000 other rising seniors across Kentucky for the Governor’s Scholars Program (GSP.) This six week free residential program is known for its competitive selection process and its amazing scholarship opportunities, but the program is known to its alumni as a place of self-growth and transformation.
GSP is not just an academic summer program. Yeju Kim, who attended Murray for health-care industry, describes her experience as “a thrilling 5 weeks full of surprises and great friendships.” Among the nine BGHS students, many agree that some of the greatest lessons GSP taught them were not necessarily in their focus area in which they primarily studied, but in their interactions with others.
Kate Lawless, who studied communication and social theory at Murray, notes that her GSP experience taught her to voice her own opinion while also being accepting of her peers’ beliefs and values. Kate says, “GSP encouraged me to unapologetically be myself under all circumstances,” and I, as a GSP alumni, agree. From stuffing nineteen of my friends onto one elevator, to sharing life stories under the stars, I made the most amazing friends who taught me that my authentic self is not only respected, but loved.
GSP became a place to effortlessly make friends and learn our identities before heading into our senior year of high school, and then to college. From bonding through midnight fire alarms, the cherished soft serve machine, and long hall meetings sharing stories, I have never loved a group of people more.
This summer gave alumni the amazing opportunity to grow with people, to hear other people’s stories, and to make amazing memories. While at GSP, I had the opportunity to participate in clubs such as swing dancing, dead poets society, and step team; attend eye-opening field trips, such as to an Islamic center, the historical Saint Peter of Chains Cathedral, and Cincinnati Art Museum; and learn skills, such as how to budget for a music festival and how be in a tech crew for a performance.
This experience also taught us to branch out in terms of friendships and experiences. Grace Klusty, who studied psychology at Morehead, says that GSP taught her “to be more open to new experiences” and helped her to “be better at talking and meeting new people.”
As it is often times, the biggest things that alumni have taken away from this life-changing summer are the little moments. Rob Lawless says his favorite memory from his summer at Northern Kentucky University studying political and social issues was “eating soft serve ice cream with the boys at every meal,” adding, “I made friends I will have for the rest of my life.” Kate Lawless says that she has too many favorite memories, but she loved “screaming the lyrics to ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ outside the dorm with my friends, and watching the sunrise on the last morning.”
Although we were split up into three different GSP sessions across the state, we all, as alumni, have something universal in common: we cherished our GSP experience more than words can say, and we would encourage more BGHS students to apply in the upcoming years. Still reflecting on her revitalizing summer, Kate states, “It is the best decision I have ever made.” Without a doubt, the remaining eight alumni would give their wholehearted agreement.
By Olivia Johnson
GSP is not just an academic summer program. Yeju Kim, who attended Murray for health-care industry, describes her experience as “a thrilling 5 weeks full of surprises and great friendships.” Among the nine BGHS students, many agree that some of the greatest lessons GSP taught them were not necessarily in their focus area in which they primarily studied, but in their interactions with others.
Kate Lawless, who studied communication and social theory at Murray, notes that her GSP experience taught her to voice her own opinion while also being accepting of her peers’ beliefs and values. Kate says, “GSP encouraged me to unapologetically be myself under all circumstances,” and I, as a GSP alumni, agree. From stuffing nineteen of my friends onto one elevator, to sharing life stories under the stars, I made the most amazing friends who taught me that my authentic self is not only respected, but loved.
GSP became a place to effortlessly make friends and learn our identities before heading into our senior year of high school, and then to college. From bonding through midnight fire alarms, the cherished soft serve machine, and long hall meetings sharing stories, I have never loved a group of people more.
This summer gave alumni the amazing opportunity to grow with people, to hear other people’s stories, and to make amazing memories. While at GSP, I had the opportunity to participate in clubs such as swing dancing, dead poets society, and step team; attend eye-opening field trips, such as to an Islamic center, the historical Saint Peter of Chains Cathedral, and Cincinnati Art Museum; and learn skills, such as how to budget for a music festival and how be in a tech crew for a performance.
This experience also taught us to branch out in terms of friendships and experiences. Grace Klusty, who studied psychology at Morehead, says that GSP taught her “to be more open to new experiences” and helped her to “be better at talking and meeting new people.”
As it is often times, the biggest things that alumni have taken away from this life-changing summer are the little moments. Rob Lawless says his favorite memory from his summer at Northern Kentucky University studying political and social issues was “eating soft serve ice cream with the boys at every meal,” adding, “I made friends I will have for the rest of my life.” Kate Lawless says that she has too many favorite memories, but she loved “screaming the lyrics to ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ outside the dorm with my friends, and watching the sunrise on the last morning.”
Although we were split up into three different GSP sessions across the state, we all, as alumni, have something universal in common: we cherished our GSP experience more than words can say, and we would encourage more BGHS students to apply in the upcoming years. Still reflecting on her revitalizing summer, Kate states, “It is the best decision I have ever made.” Without a doubt, the remaining eight alumni would give their wholehearted agreement.
By Olivia Johnson