PWCS was well-represented at this past summer's Residential Governor's Schools held on college campuses around the state. In addition, 10 PWCS students participated in the 2021 Governor's World Language Academies, held virtually this summer.The Summer Residential Governor's Schools provide PWCS high school juniors and seniors intensive educational experiences, complementing the World-Class Education they receive during the regular school year. Each school focuses on one special area of interest-agriculture, visual and performing arts; humanities; mathematics, science, and technology; life science and medicine. Acceptance into these programs is highly competitive, and involves completion of an extensive application, including essay writing and teacher recommendations.
Students stay on a Virginia college or university campus for up to four weeks, living, studying, and getting to know other students with similar interests and abilities from across Virginia. They are involved in classroom and laboratory work, field studies, and research. They take part in individual and group projects and performances, and attend seminars with noted scholars, visiting artists, and other professionals. The students may also work side-by-side with research scientists, physicians, and other experts.
Megan Richert, currently a senior at C.D. Hylton High School, attended the Governor's School for Humanities at Radford University this past July.
"I liked the philosophy aspect of our classes," shared Richert. "For example, in the Environmental Heroes class, we debated if Lois Gibbs' (environmental activist) work was ethical."
Gar-Field High School senior Aubrey Venteicher also enjoyed her four-week experience at the Governor's School for Humanities.
"I loved everyone I met and all the opportunities I had to learn from professors and my peers," said Venteicher.
The Governor's Foreign Language Academies are designed to provide a unique and exciting opportunity for outstanding students who are interested in pursuing language studies in an intensive environment. Due to the ongoing pandemic, this summer's academies were held virtually.
2021 Governor's School Summer Residential Programs attendees:
For Agriculture at Virginia Tech University: (includes agricultural and biological systems engineering, agricultural economics, animal science, plant science, and food science)
- Battlefield High School: Nathan Kim
- Patriot High School: Ritika Bawa, Dede Sackey, Maxwell Shipp
For Humanities at Radford University:
- Battlefield High School: Phoebe Yoon
- C.D. Hylton High School: Amaya Navarrete, Monika Miranda, Megan Richert, Sofia Simonian, Tsion Sisay
- Gar-Field High School: Aubrey Venteicher-Schulman
- Woodbridge High School: Renato Econo, Charlotte Flynn, Sadia Srabony
For Math, Science, and Technology at Lynchburg College:
- Battlefield High School: Raj Joshi, Aatish Sethi
- Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School: Sierra Diller, Gabriel Ralston, Soloman Ralston
- Forest Park High School: Jacob Alachnowicz, Kai Dove
- Gar-Field High School: Abigail Herbas
- Patriot High School: Naman Agarwal
For Visual and Performing Arts at Radford University:
- Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School: Morgyn Childs, Cadence Gates, Aaron Islam
- C.D Hylton High School: Thia Lam
- Osbourn Park High School: Mikayla Carter
- Patriot High School: Zoe Frantz
- Woodbridge High School: Emma Howard
For the Governor's Foreign Language Academies held virtually:
- Battlefield High School: Gabrielle Lazor (French), Kathryn Stephenson (Spanish), Alexandra Williams (French)
- C.D. Hylton High School: Lilliana McCloy (Japanese)
- Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School: Eily Persson (Spanish)
- Gar-Field High School: Michael Clark (Japanese)
- Osbourn Park High School: Gaetane Milet (Latin)
- Patriot High School: Evanna Koury (French), Emily Senesombath (Japanese)
- Woodbridge High School: Vanessa Calderon (French)
For more information, visit the Governor's School webpage.