Tag Archive for: #governorsschool

Two J.F. Webb Students Selected To Attend 2023 Governor’s School

-information courtesy of Granville County Public Schools

Two J.F. Webb High juniors will be spending part of their summer at Governor’s School, the annual enrichment residential program for rising seniors across the state.

Both young women have chosen English as the discipline they will focus on during the summer program.

Chapman Burnette and Destiny Royster will participate in the summer residential program, according to information from Granville County Public Schools spokesperson Dr. Stan Winborne.

Burnette chose English because of her passion for reading and writing – especially writing. “I find writing stress-relieving and engaging, as I have to carefully think out every word and put it in the right place so that whatever I’m writing is clear and works cohesively,” Burnette stated.

Outside of school, Burnette enjoys playing volleyball and creating digital art. After graduation, she plans to attend a 4-year university to major in criminology. She is the daughter of Caroline and Scott Burnette.

Royster said the’s thankful for being selected. “Governor’s School is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I am incredibly thankful. She stated that she hopes it will open up opportunities in the future as senior year and graduation get closer.  Her hobbies include designing houses on her games and spending quality time with family.  Her post-high school plans are to study economics or business.  Destiny would like to pursue a career in architecture and real estate. She is the daughter of Tia Royster-Williams and Archie Williams.

The North Carolina Governor’s School is a 4-week summer residential program for gifted and talented high school students that integrates academic disciplines, the arts and unique courses. The curriculum focuses on the exploration of the most recent ideas and concepts in each discipline, and does not involve credit, tests, or grades.

Governor’s School programs are located on the campus of Meredith College in Raleigh and Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem

The North Carolina Governor’s School is the nation’s oldest statewide summer residential program for gifted high school students. The program, which is open to rising seniors only, with exceptions made for rising juniors in selected performing/visual arts areas, is located on two campuses of up to 335 students each.

Watkins selected for Governor’s School

Isaac Charles Watkins, a junior at Oxford Preparatory School, has been selected to attend North Carolina Governor’s School of 2021.

Watkins, 17, lives in Oxford with his parents Kelly Watkins and Chris Cox. He was selected for the program because of high academic performance in the social sciences, according to Vici Bradsher, upper school director at OPS. He will attend Governor’s School West, held at High Point University, Bradsher noted.

“Being selected for Governor’s School is a high honor,” Bradsher said. “Not all schools have students selected to attend Governor’s School,” she said. He is the first OPS student to be selected to attend the summer program.

“We are honored that Isaac has been selected,” Bradsher said, adding that it is “a testament to the level of dedication with which Isaac pursues everything. Isaac is such a very deserving young man.”

His accomplishments extend into the community as well. He spends time helping others at Area Congregations in Ministry (ACIM) food bank in Oxford and the Flat River Baptist Association Church & Communities Ministries in Oxford. He also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout last year. His Eagle Scout project was the creation of a prayer garden at Sharon Baptist Church, where he attends with his family.

Watkins will be studying the social sciences at Governor’s School, and Bradsher said he excels in history, government and politics. At OPS, he also is a member of the swimming and cross-country teams, and is a commencement marshal for the second year.

His mother, Kelly Watkins, said Wednesday that her son also is interested in philosophy and religion, adding that he has indicated an interest in pursuing those subjects in college.

Music is another passion he pursues. He plays electric guitar in the OPS Jazz band and plays trumpet in the school’s performing Band. Outside of school activities, he co-founded The Palm Trees, a band that has performed for various events at the Senior Center in Oxford.

He performs musical selections regularly at his church, his mother said. His maternal grandfather majored in music in college, and Isaac plays the trumpet that his grandfather once played.

The North Carolina Governor’s School is the nation’s oldest statewide summer residential program for gifted high school students. The 5 ½-week program is located on two campuses: Governor’s School West is at High Point University in High Point, and Governor’s School East is held at Meredith College in Raleigh. Each site can accommodate up to 335 students. The program is administered by the Public Schools of North Carolina, the State Board of Education, and the Department of Public Instruction through the Exceptional Children Division.

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