Seniors Tap into Passion for Learning at Governor’s School

This summer, two Westchester Country Day School students participated in the Governor's School of North Carolina, a residential program for academic and intellectually gifted high school students from public and private schools across the state. The program is highly selective and is the oldest statewide program in the nation.

Seniors Meredith Harron and Sophia Singer both attended Governor’s School East at Meredith College in Raleigh. For five-and-a-half weeks, they took classes in a primary subject area exploring ideas and works within their discipline without tests or grades. They also participated in discussions on interdisciplinary concepts with students from other focus areas and had access to arts programming and guest speakers.

Harron, who attended for Choral Music, says the program allowed her to spend weeks of the summer doing what she loves the most and provided a challenge.

"As a singer, it pushed me to lengths I had never gone to before, but thankfully, the skills I've acquired from Mrs. English and Mrs. Jennings here at Westchester helped me to succeed," she said. "The work ethic I have developed from being a student at WCDS helped me to persevere and continue to do my best."

Singer attended for Social Science, which exposed her to a variety of subjects from government and politics to psychology. 

“The most impactful part of the experience was meeting tons of new people with shared interests and a passion for learning,” said Singer. “Everyone there was eager to participate in discussions, as well as being outgoing in order to make new friends.”

Harron added that Governor’s School expanded her perception of education and what it means to be a part of a community of learners.

"Governor's School taught me that true learning is not about deadlines and numbers but rather finding what you're passionate about and exploring those subjects for the sake of curiosity,” she said. "Real students are those who not only seek to better themselves through education but also to lift up every single one of their peers around them. It's not about who is the smartest or most talented. It's about community, and frankly, love -- for one’s passions and those around them.”

Singer said she was able to learn about topics that were new or more in-depth than she has studied to this point. 

"This experience has truly been one of the most impactful ways I've spent my time, and I enjoyed every second of it!"