Friday, July 18, 2008

Much More Gained Than Lost


By Morgan Rose

Taylor County High School

 

            This summer, I’ve missed out on lazy days by the pool, late nights chatting with friends, and sleeping until lunchtime. I’ve sacrificed five weeks of free time to attend the Governor’s Scholars Program and reside on the campus of Bellarmine University in Louisville.

What may come as a surprise, however, is that with all that I’ve missed, I’ve gained so much more.

            The Governor’s Scholars Program allows some of Kentucky’s brightest upcoming seniors to attend a five-week session filled with opportunities to take risks, discuss important issues, and learn about themselves and the world around them.  In addition, almost every college in the state offers scholarships to GSP alumni, so the application process was difficult and competitive.  Upon receiving my acceptance letter, I began to plan for what I knew would be an unforgettable experience.

            Opening day in mid-June came with a series of emotions.  As the day that I’d been planning and anticipating for weeks came into view, I began to feel excited, curious, and unsure simultaneously.  The butterflies in my stomach were definitely alive and well as I entered an unfamiliar campus filled with strange faces. A pang of anxiety and sadness rushed in as I, along with 360 of my fellow scholars, bid goodbye to family members. We were now alone, and it was up to us to break the ice and become acquainted with not only our surroundings, but also the strangers with whom we would share the next five weeks. 

            Week One was a string of new beginnings: new friendships, new living arrangements, and new learning experiences.  Dorm life, complete with shared bathrooms and limited drawer space, presented an unknown frontier of sorts and a few unforeseen difficulties.   Making friends, on the other hand, wasn’t difficult at all.  With scholars coming from all parts of the state, personalities, backgrounds, and opinions of all types resided on campus. But the scholar population seemed to mesh and fit together perfectly within only a few days.  By Friday of the first week, I had grown accustomed to my summer life and developed relationships that I knew would stretch far beyond this five-week program.

            My classes provided a plethora of learning experiences and opportunities to take risks and try new things.  My Focus Area, my “major” for the program, was Journalism and Mass Media.  Since writing has been a passion of mine for quite sometime, this class and I were a perfect fit.  It allowed me to have an in-depth look at the aspects and influence of journalism.  Through this class, I was able to visit the Courier Journal, tour the TV station of Wave3, and participate in a GSP news bureau.  I developed my own stories, all the while being mentored by two notably successful journalists. 

            In my other classes, I spent time discussing and debating issues that impact our world.  I was exposed to new opinions, concerns, and information on topics ranging all the way from dating relationships to pending war.  These classes not only allowed me to have a voice and share my thoughts, but also hear that of others.  I was able to learn more about what I believe and why I believe it, which will be an invaluable tool in my future. 

            For me, the program has truly been a huge compilation of great memories, and as the five weeks draw to a close, I am confident that this summer will be difficult to top. While most 17-year-olds spent their summers planning sleepovers and working on their tans, I was given the honor of learning more about myself and having an impact on my future.

As it comes time for me to re-enter the real world, I won’t leave the experiences of GSP behind.  Instead, I’ll cherish all the things I’ve learned and all the friendships I’ve made.

And I’ll proudly don the title of Governor’s Scholar.

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