Three Rockdale students were named as finalists for the 46th annual Governor’s Honors Program, (GHP), a selective residential summer program for gifted and talented high school juniors and seniors.

RCPS finalists for the 2012 Georgia Governor’s Honors Program are:

Jasmine Johnson (Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology) - Chemistry
Heeyoon Kim (Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology) - Mathematics
Zachary York (Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology) - Mathematics

A function of the Georgia Department of Education, it takes place on the campus of Valdosta State University and is the longest continually running program of its kind in the nation.

More than 2900 students from across the state were interviewed and auditioned over three weekends in January and February, and from those nominees 690 finalists were chosen to participate in the 2012 program. Since the program is fully funded by the Georgia General Assembly, there is no charge for students to attend.

For four summer weeks, students will spend the morning in their major area of nomination, exploring topics not usually found in the regular high school classroom.  During the afternoons, students choose one of the other areas in which to study. The curriculum in all the areas is challenging and engaging. Evenings are filled with seminars, activities, concerts, and performances.

Director Dale Lyles said, “GHP is such a competitive program that even being nominated is an accomplishment. I congratulate the students of Rockdale County Public Schools and look forward to meeting them and their parents in June.”  He added that many if not most of GHP’s past participants regard it as one of the most life-changing events in their lives.

More information about GHP can be found on the Department of Education website www.gadoe.org under the division of School Improvement.