Paducah Tilghman sends nine to Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program

Paducah Tilghman High School juniors Elena Adkins, Bella Brown, Fiona Caywood, Xan Copper, Azlyn Goodyke, Reagan Hartman, Jacob Julian, Henry Stratemeyer, and Corban Williams wre accepted to participate in this year's Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program.

Some 1,687 applications from high school juniors across the state were submitted this year, out of which 60 percof those applicants were accepted to participate in the program. The number of candidates each district may submit to the statewide process is based on the district-wide junior class enrollment. This year, PTHS was allowed to submit nine candidate applications to the state level and all nine were accepted to the program.

The Governor's Scholars Program is a summer residential program for outstanding rising high school seniors in Kentucky. Murray State University hosts this year, along with Centre College in Danville and Morehead State University.

Students must be nominated by their high schools and then compete on a state-wide level. Selection for the program is highly competitive, with an application process similar to that of prestigious colleges and universities. 

In addition to an academic profile that includes the challenge of course load, GPA, and at least one standardized test score, the application requires an outline of all extracurricular activities, a history of volunteer service, and a list of job positions held. 

Also required is a teacher recommendation for both quantitative evaluation and qualitative descriptions of the student's performance and potential, as well as a community recommendation which shows how a student performs in a community setting beyond the high school. The final component of the application is an original writing entry.



Tilghman students pictured, from left, include Bella Brown, Elena Adkins, Azlyn Goodyke, Xan Copper, Henry Stratemeyer, Jacob Julian, Fiona Caywood, Çorban Williams, Reagan Hartman