Nathanael Partin, a junior at Knox Central High School, has been selected as Knox County’s latest Governor’s Scholar.
In a release to school districts on Thursday, Aristofanes Cedeno, Executive Director of the program, stated that the statewide selection committee faced some very difficult choices in selecting the 2020 scholars from a highly competitive field of 1,857 outstanding young Kentuckians. Only 1,020 students were selected which represents 55% of the total pool of candidates.
“We are very excited about Nathanael being selected for one of the state’s most prestigious academic programs,” said Frank Shelton, coordinator of Governor’s Scholars for KCPS.
“When our committee was reviewing Nathanael’s application packet, it was very impressive. From his community involvement to involvement in school, he is certainly a well-rounded young man and will represent our district well.”
The summer program is being hosted by Bellarmine University in Louisville, Centre College in Danville, and Morehead State University in Morehead.
The core curriculum for these summer sessions is threefold:
- Focus Area: Courses that allow a student to pursue a topic in-depth as a member of a small group stressing the development of ideas in the chosen discipline, with the option of additional independent study.
- General Studies: Classes emphasize inquiry, service-learning, community leadership, and resolution development.
- Seminar: Personal development seminars that stress concerns and problems faced by students, including such subjects as values clarification, career choice, and interpersonal relationships.
Earlier this month the Governor’s Scholar committee commented on the impact COVID-19 may have on the summer sessions. “COVID-19 situation since its inception, not only as individuals concerned for our families, friends, and coworkers but with an eye on its potential impact to GSP 2020. Please know that our first area of concern each and every year is with the safety, health, and well-being of our students. While we have no way of knowing what the coming weeks will hold, the fact that our program is not scheduled to begin until mid-June does provide us with time to evaluate options.”
The committee has not made a decision to cancel or make modifications to the summer program yet.
As a participant, Nathanael will not only get to participate in the learning and networking opportunities that the program provides, but it will also open the door to many scholarships including full-tuition scholarships to many of Kentucky’s top colleges and universities.