Governor Steve Beshear recently congratulated the 1,073 outstanding Kentucky high school juniors who attended this year’s Governor’s Scholars Program for five weeks in June and July.

“The Governor’s Scholars Program is an outstanding educational experience for Kentucky, and one I’m proud to say both of my sons had the opportunity to enjoy years ago,” Gov. Beshear said. “My congratulations go out to those young Kentuckians who had the great opportunity to share in this exciting program.”

Local students selected for the program include Benjamin Chase Barnett, Nathaniel Richard Calloway, Macy Elizabeth Epperson and Mikayla Hope Raines from Bell County High School, Kyle Wesley Burress and Rachel Susann Schneider from Middlesboro High School, and Lucas James Brooks from Pineville High School.

By participating, students have the unique opportunity to exchange ideas and discover different points of view while interacting with other students and learning new disciplines.

A statewide selection committee chose the participants for the nationally recognized program from nominations submitted from each Kentucky school district. Selection criteria included academic records and test scores, teacher recommendations, extracurricular activities and essays. The program is free to those who attend.

Scholars spend five weeks on a college campus during the program, which this year was held at Bellarmine University in Louisville from June 17 to July 21; at Murray State University in Murray from June 23 to July 27; and at Centre College in Danville from June 24 to July 28.

Scholars balance a busy academic schedule in the sciences, mathematics, humanities and the arts with a variety of co-curricular activities and a rich residential life. They participated in community improvement projects, seminars and other activities often initiated by the students themselves.

Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson took the opportunity to visit Governor’s Scholars Program participants at two of the campuses this summer.

“I was impressed by these bright young Kentuckians participating in the Governor’s Scholar Program,” said Lt. Gov. Abramson. “These students have distinguished themselves through hard work and dedication. I have the highest expectations for them and for the future of a Commonwealth in which they become community leaders.”