TEXARKANA, Ark. - Arkansas High School students Summer Barrick, KeeYonece Butler, Rashad Thrower, and Benjamin Tripp Wilson have been selected to attend the 42nd annual Arkansas Governor's School hosted at Arkansas Tech University.
Selection for Governor's School is based on a combination of ability and interest and is highly competitive.
AGS is a four-week summer residential program for upcoming high school seniors who are residents of the state. The program is funded by the Arkansas State Legislature as a portion of the biennial appropriation for gifted and talented programs through the Arkansas Department of Education.
State funds provide tuition, room, board and instructional materials for each student who attends the four-week program on the site of a residential college campus sponsored by the state.
"I'm definitely really excited to go," Benjamin Wilson said. "I'm the first one from my family to ever go to Governor's School. And to be going with my (fellow students) is going to be really fun. So it's going to be really exciting, and I can't wait."
AGS is a non-credit program that seeks to create a unique experience for a select group of Arkansas' best students. Both inside and outside the classroom, AGS provides these students with an intellectual atmosphere.
Wilson said this experience will help prepare him and his fellow students for college.
"The experience is what I'm most looking forward to because it's going to really be my first time being away from home for more than a few days," he said. "It's going to be a fun experience that will really get me ready for college, which is coming near."