Four ECHS Students Selected for Governor's Student Programs

Left: Governor's Scholar Program students. Right: Governor School of Entrepreneurs student.

Peytin Manor, story and photos:
Four ECHS students have been named to two separate prestigious Kentucky Governor's School Programs.

Edmonson County High School juniors, Mackenzie Wilkerson and Averie Hill were selected for the Governor’s Scholar Program (GSP). ECHS junior, Haley Shields has been named as an alternate for the program. The Kentucky Governor's Scholar Program is a prestigious, free five-week program for rising high school seniors. The program is divided into three major groups: a main focus area where students will go more in depth into a topic, general studies, and leadership seminars. 

To join the program, students must be nominated by their high school and compete statewide in a highly selective process similar to college admissions. Applications include academics, test scores, activities, service, work experience, teacher and community recommendations, and an original writing piece.

Applications are available through schools or online in the fall. Students first compete at the school or district level, and only selected nominees advance to the state level. Each year, over 2,000 apply, and about 1,000 are chosen.

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L-R: Averie Hill, Mackenzie Wilkerson, and Haley Shields.

Mackenzie is the daughter of Clayton and Ashley Wilkerson and plans to pursue a major in biology after high school. She was also selected for the Governor's School of Entrepreneurs and the Commonwealth Honors Academy at Murray State University, and chose to attend the Governor’s Scholar Program.

Averie is the daughter of Chris and Wendy Hill and plans to pursue a major in marketing after high school. She was accepted into both GSP and the Commonwealth Honors Academy at Murray State University, but chose to attend the three-week program at MSU. Through her acceptance into the academy, Averie will receive a full-tuition scholarship to Murray State University.

Haley is the daughter of Jonathan and Stacy Shields and plans to pursue a major in biology after high school. As an alternate, she has been placed into a highly competitive pool of potential candidates across the state. 
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Hannah Graham

Edmonson County High School junior, Hannah Graham has been selected for the Governor's School for Entrepreneurs (GSE). This program is a free, intensive three-week program for ninth, tenth, and eleventh grade students to develop their entrepreneurial skills. GSE graduates qualify for millions of dollars in college scholarships. Hannah will attend GSE at the University of Kentucky this summer. 

Hannah is the daughter of Jeremy and Ashley Graham and plans to pursue a major in elementary education after high school.