Governor’s Honors Academy wraps up in Fairmont with academic showcase

FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WBOY) — After an intensive two-and-a-half weeks, the West Virginia Governor’s Honors Academy (GHA) wrapped up at Fairmont State University on Wednesday with an academic showcase.

More than 100 rising high school seniors from across the state came out to participate in the academy.

“They’ve been learning and kind of growing throughout the academy,” GHA Co-Dean Robin Payne said. “And this is a moment for them to celebrate what they’ve learned and show for their families before they move out; what they’ve accomplished here.”

Payne told 12 News that there were 17 faculty members teaching courses on the campus for this year’s academy and that each student was required to take three courses in total over the course of two-and-a-half weeks.

“They all took an intensive class that lasted about three hours and met most days, and they really got to take a deep dive,” said Payne. She added that the instructors also taught “broad-based” courses and that the students were required to take two of those as well.

According to Payne, these courses ranged in subject matter and covered topics like molecular biotechnology, public arts, political debates and forensics. “They really just had a chance to explore topics maybe they haven’t had a chance to learn about, but also to take classes that might help them prepare for whatever they’re gonna be doing in college,” she said.

Payne also told 12 News that GHA is one of eight governor’s schools in West Virginia, all of which are sponsored by the state legislature. She feels that these schools are wonderful opportunities for students, especially because the program is free of charge.

Students are able to apply for this program on their own each year, before being vetted by the school district in their home county. Payne said that the superintendent of each school district chooses the applicants from their district that they feel are best for the program and then sends each of the governor’s schools recommendations for those students.

After receiving the superintendents’ recommendations, the West Virginia Department of Education further vets the candidates, as well as the deans of the respective governor’s schools, to determine who will be enrolled in the free summer program.

“We consider the students for this academy to be the best and brightest for their home counties,” said Payne. “And it’s really a wonderful experience for them to come together with kids from all across the state, get to know people who maybe have had different experiences from them growing up than they have, but also then to just begin to form a sense of community.”

Payne said that at the GHA, they try to provide an opportunity for students to have a steady footing as they prepare for the next steps following high school. “Most people who’ve ever participated in the Governor’s Honors Academy describe it as a life-changing opportunity,” she added. “Just to the experiences they have and the growth that they undergo while they’re here, they feel that it’s kind of a positive, transformative experience that really gives them some momentum as they enter into adulthood.”

You can learn more about the Governor’s Schools of West Virginia here.

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