Johnston County Schools is sending 7 of its best and brightest students to the Governor’s School of North Carolina. Names of selected students are as follows: Leah Frances Cauley and Jessica K. Jewell, Clayton HS; Jessica C. Carter and Justin W. Lee, South Johnston HS; Joseph C. Baldcock, Brian K. Beaman, and Olivia R. Cox, West Johnston HS.

Governor’s School is a six-week, summer residential program for intellectually gifted high school students…integrating academic disciplines, the arts and unique courses. The program is entirely free of charge to all students, funded by the General Assembly of North Carolina. This year’s session will begin on June 13, 2010, and run through July 24, 2010.

Dr. Oliver Johnson, Executive Director for Student Services said that, “teachers, principals, and counselors nominate applicants and send their names to the superintendent. All applicants must meet the criteria established for the Governor’s School. The district determines which of the school nominees will be sent for final selection at the state level.”

Daily life at the Governor’s School is a rich mixture of classes, activities, seminars, speakers, concerts, recreation, trips, and dorm life. The academic program runs Monday through Saturday mornings, with other activities and visitation on the weekends.

The Governor's School is the oldest statewide summer residential program for academically or intellectually gifted high school students in the nation. Dr. Johnson said, “the program, which is open to rising seniors only ─ with exceptions made for rising juniors in selected performing and visual arts areas ─ is located on two campuses of 400 students each: Governor's School West at Salem College in Winston-Salem, and Governor's School East at Meredith College in Raleigh.”

For more information, please contact: Dr. Oliver Johnson, Executive Director for Student Services, Johnston County Schools at 934-9810, ext. 234 or at oliverjohnson@johnston.k12.nc.us