Three
OCHS juniors chosen for
Governor’s
Scholars program
By
Glypie Grider
Staff Writer
Katelyn
Gaines, Kyle Hagedorn and Zac Wolfe know a thing or two about
competition.
The three Owen County High School juniors are striving for valedictorian
honors, and Hagedorn and Wolfe carry a 4.0 GPA. Gaines is right
behind them, though, with a 3.9.
“We’re pretty competitive,” Gaines admitted.
“We get mad if the other one gets the right answer in class.”
That academic rivarly —along with lenghty lists of extracurricular
activites and a few essays — has guaranteed all three a
spot in the highly coveted Governor’s Scholars Program,
a five-week summer camp for rising high school seniors.
As Governor’s Scholars, Gaines and Wolfe will study Modes
of Mathematical Thinking and Engineering, respectively, at Morehead
State University, while Hagedorn will study Creative Writing at
Centre College.
“This is a chance to really learn something from upstanding
members of the college community without being graded,”
Wolfe said.
The Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program (GSP) was established
in 1983 and accepts approximately 1,200 high school juniors each
year to study at one of three college campuses around the state.
Participation in the the program guarantees sizable scholarship
packages at most Kentucky colleges and universities.
“The scholarship opportunities were certainly one of the
reasons I applied,” Wolfe said, “but I keow this is
a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I had to pursue.”
Wolfe’s cousin attended GSP a few years ago and spoke so
highly of the “exhilirating” program that Wolfe had
to apply. “The way he described it, I just knew I had to
try and go.”
GSP informational sessions began last September at the high school,
but only five applications were submitted in January to the local
GSP committee. Each school system is allotted a certain number
of students based on its 11th-grade population.
And then it was a waiting game.
“I almost forgot I even applied,” Hagedorn said, noting
the four-month interval between when he applied and when he was
accepted into the program.
The three students waited another four weeks to learn their campus
assignments.
“The waiting part certainly was the worst part of the entire
process,” Gaines said.
All three were thrilled when their acceptance letters came in
the mail. Gaines’ mother brought the letter the day it arrived
to the baseball field where Katelyn was keeping stats.
“As soon as I opened it, we started jumping up and down,
we were so excited” Katelyn said. “It was hilarious
because no one knew why we were so excited, but it certainly was
an honor—and a relief—to get it.”
Hagedorn remembered seeing the letter sometime after midnight
when he returned home from a school trip to Italy and France.
“Mom came in with the mail and there was a letter right
on top from the governor’s office,” Hagedorn said.
“We opened it up and Mom started shaking, she was so excited.”
Wolfe, who was eagerly watching the mail, said he was almost too
scared to open the letter when it came.
“It certainly is an honor for all three to be accepted into
the program,” said Melissa Carpenter, OCHS guidance counselor.
Typically, only two OCHS students are accepted, and to the best
of Carpenter’s knowledge, this is the first time three have
been chosen. “It just speaks to how qualified all three
of them are.”
As the start date for the program nears — Gaines and Wolfe
ship out June 23, with Wolfe leaving for Centre on June 24 —
all three are getting anxious.
“I’ve never been away from home for that long, but
it will certainly beat sitting on the couch and sleeping all day,”
Hagedorn said.
Wolfe is ready to get a feel for college life. He’s getting
his refrigerator in order, stocking up on quarters for laundry
and getting nervous about his roommate assignment.
“That will make or break this trip, I think,” he said.
With limited cell phone use, no access to television or computers,
Wolfe said making friends and developing strong relationships
will be the key to an enjoyable summer at GSP.
Gaines, an OCHS varsity cheerleader, is disappointed that she
has to miss two summer cheer camps in order to go to GSP. But
she said it’s worth it.
“Going to GSP has always been a personal goal I set for
myself,” Gaines said. “It was an honor I wanted to
get — and worked to get, and now I am ready to go experience
it.”
Hagedorn, 17, is the son of Brian and Sheila Hagedorn of Owenton
and Jennifer and Lonnie Kemper of Jonesville. In addition to the
academic team, he is active in the National Honor Society, Beta
Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and band. After high school,
he plans to attend college and go to law school.
Wolfe, 17, is the president of the Beta Club and an avid hacky-sack
player. He tests in general knowledge and arts and humanities
on the academic team and competes in future problem solving and
quick recall. He is the son Jon and Becky Wolfe of Owenton.
He is considering a career in computer science, but his experience
at GSP may lead him down the mechanical or electronic engineering
track.
Gaines, 17, is the daughter of Charlie and Donette Gaines of Owenton.
She is a varsity cheerleader at OCHS and active in Student Council.
She is also a member of the Beta Club and National Honor Society
and serves as a Fellowship of Christian Athletes officer. After
high school, she plans to attend college and study pre-pharmacy
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