News Summary
The Mississippi Governor’s School program at the Mississippi University for Women provides academically gifted high school students with a two-week immersive experience that emphasizes learning and building relationships. This year, participants engaged in various courses, including hands-on projects that fostered teamwork and creativity. Students reflected on the importance of the friendships and experiences gained during the program, highlighting the social and academic growth that comes from collaboration in a nurturing environment.
Columbus, Mississippi – The Mississippi Governor’s School (MGS) program, held each June at the Mississippi University for Women, brings together nearly 70 academically gifted high school students for two weeks of intensive learning and connection. This year, the theme of “connections” emphasized relationship-building among participants, faculty, and the diverse subjects taught during the program.
This year, among the participants was Vincent Young, a 16-year-old student from the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science. Young’s team faced a challenge that tested their ingenuity, as they were tasked with building a boat using pool noodles, cardboard, scraps, and duct tape within a time limit of 90 minutes. Despite initial doubts about selecting an engineer for their project, Young’s team successfully created a raft and ultimately triumphed in the challenge.
MGS Director Amber Cook highlighted that this year’s program placed a stronger emphasis on fostering relationships than in previous years. Each student had the opportunity to select from 12 different classes that explored a broad range of topics, from sourdough bread baking to video game development and musical composition. The courses are designed to expose students to various fields of interest, which are developed by the staff at MUW.
Since its inception in 1981, founded by Governor William Winter and MUW administration, the MGS program has served thousands of gifted high school students, offering them tools and experiences to enhance their academic journey. Participants can also earn up to three hours of college credit through the program, which aims to prepare students for future academic endeavors.
For many students, the social aspect of MGS is as impactful as the academic one. Anya Rai, a 16-year-old from Starkville High School, expressed that the friendships she formed helped ease her homesickness during the program. Meanwhile, Bryan Chora, a 17-year-old from Caledonia High School, discovered his passion for music—learning to play the piano and create compositions for the first time.
The program’s structure balances rigorous academic courses with teambuilding activities to encourage interaction among students and faculty. As reflected by participants, the friends they made and the experiences shared during MGS contribute to a sense of belonging and connection. Vincent Young noted that it felt as if he and his classmates had known each other for many years, reinforcing the importance of these connections.
Overall, the bonds and memories formed during the two weeks of the Mississippi Governor’s School are seen as significant and lasting. As students reflect on their time spent together, they recognize the importance of collaboration and learning alongside their peers in an environment tailored to nurturing their potential.
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Additional Resources
- Columbus Dispatch: Friendship Flourishes at Mississippi Governor’s School
- Wikipedia: Mississippi Governor’s School
- Local Memphis: Mississippi Governor’s Rejection of Federal Funds
- Google Search: Mississippi education
- Clarion Ledger: Mississippi Governor’s Special Session on State Budget
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mississippi
