High school students selected for N.C. Governor’s School program

Fifteen students from Gaston County Schools have been selected to attend the 2025 session of the prestigious North Carolina Governor’s School.

Held annually at two sites, Governor’s School East is at Meredith College in Raleigh and Governor’s School West is at Greensboro College.  The program runs June 22 through July 19.

The following students from Gaston County Schools were chosen to attend Governor’s School this summer.  The list includes their high school and area of study.

■ Governor’s School - East
Kaitlyn Baker, Forestview High School, Social Science
Saliou Diouf, Highland School of Technology, Natural Science
Ashleigh Fox, East Gaston High School, Instrumental Music, Clarinet
Zachary Hatfield, Stuart W. Cramer High School, Choral Music, Bass I
Joshua Morales, South Point High School, Natural Science
Amor Polanco, Forestview High School, Dance
James Smith, Stuart W. Cramer High School, Instrumental Music, Trumpet
Lily Sullivan, South Point High School, Mathematics
Makayla Turner, East Gaston High School, Mathematics
Chloe Villarreal, South Point High School, Natural Science

■ Governor’s School - West
Sofia Jimenez Beltran, Gaston Early College High School, Spanish
Mackenzie Hart, East Gaston High School, Instrumental Music, Oboe
Sarena Nguyen, Forestview High School, Natural Science
Yug Patel, Forestview High School, Natural Science
Aiden VanderMeer, Stuart W. Cramer High School, Natural Science

Governor’s School is a summer enrichment program for 820 students from across the state.  It is the oldest statewide summer residential program for academically and/or intellectually gifted high school students in the nation.  The experience provides an opportunity for outstanding students to explore the latest developments, problems, and theories in the various fields of the arts and sciences. 

Nominations for Governor’s School are made by each local high school, reviewed by a local committee, and submitted to a state committee for final selection.  The process is extremely competitive.  Students are chosen based on academic standing or the ability to perform in an area of concentration such as dance, art, music, and drama.

Superintendent of Schools Morgen A. Houchard stated: “We would like to congratulate our students who were chosen to attend Governor’s School for 2025.  Being selected is one of the most significant accomplishments a high school student can achieve, and they are to be commended for their outstanding achievement and being among the brightest and most talented students in our state.”

A distinguished faculty chosen from public and private schools, colleges and universities, and private businesses and organizations serve as teachers in the program.  Nationally-recognized consultants also provide instruction.

Click here for more information about the North Carolina Governor’s School program.