Three Haywood County rising high school seniors will attend the Governor’s School of North Carolina this summer. Reagan Mulvey and Emma Dorgan from Tuscola High School and Madison Stewart from Pisgah High School were selected for the highly-coveted and competitive summer academic program.

The Governor’s School of North Carolina is a summer residential program for intellectually gifted high school students that integrates academic disciplines, the arts and unique coursework. The curriculum focuses on the exploration of the most recent ideas and concepts in English, French, Spanish, mathematics, natural science, social science, art, choral music, instrumental music, theater and dance.

Students were selected to apply for Governor’s School in one of the above disciplines based on their grades. The application, which students submitted last fall, included two essays and two letters of recommendation.

To be eligible, students must be N.C. residents, enrolled in 11th grade, have achievement test scores between the 92 and 99 percentile ranges, and supply their class rank and transcripts.

Once Haywood County submitted their applications to the state, a selection committee with specialists in each academic discipline reviewed and scored each student application. Haywood County’s students were notified of their acceptance in March.

During Governor’s School, students complete an intense study of the field they were nominated in and attend classes that encourage group discussion of practical applications of theory. Students have the opportunity to learn from speakers, performances, exhibitions, field trips, demonstrations, seminars and film series. When students are not in class, social and recreational events are offered.

“We are extremely proud of the students selected to attend Governor’s School this summer,” said Lisa Thompson, Haywood County Schools Federal Programs and Academically and Intellectually Gifted Director. “Attending Governor’s school will provide opportunities for personal, academic, social, and artistic growth that will forever be part of who they are and will become.”

Mulvey applied for and was accepted into the Governor’s School theater program. The goal of the theater program is to introduce young theatre artists to contemporary and progressive theory, literature and technique.

Dorgan will attend Governor’s School under the Spanish curriculum where she will learn contemporary thought, literature, music, art, and political trends coming from Spain and Hispanic America.

Stewart was selected for the social sciences curriculum which examines the major political, sociological, psychological and anthropological concepts that have influenced the 20th and 21st centuries from theoretical and applied perspectives.

The three students will complete the nearly six-week program from June 20 to July 28 with a three-day midsession break in July.

The cost of the program for the three Haywood County Schools’ students is being paid for by a donation from Dr. Doris Hammett, a local Haywood County Schools supporter and retired pediatrician.

Governor’s School faculty and staff include teachers and professionals from public and private schools, colleges and universities, and independent artists and scholars.

Governor’s School is the oldest statewide summer residential program for academically and intellectually gifted high school students in the nation. Each year, up to 650 N.C. students are selected to attend Governor’s School.