Alyssa Horner thought outside the box when she applied to be a Governor’s Scholar and it paid off for the Carroll County High School/iLEAD Academy junior.
Each candidate for the Governor’s Scholars Program (GSP) must complete a lengthy application, including an essay. Students were given six topics and Alyssa chose to write an essay about who she would like to meet and what they would talk about.
“I chose Taylor Swift,” she said with a laugh. “I know there’s probably people who would choose Martin Luther King or Abraham Lincoln and I feel like they would see that a lot, so I thought how do I channel something I find interesting and use that to describe me as a student and a candidate for the Governor’s Scholars Program.”
She used the singing sensation’s experiences, trials and tendency toward perfectionism to connect to her own drive for success. “She has certain traits that can, if you’re a perfectionist, harm you and that’s how I am,” Alyssa said.
The notification letter arrived at Alyssa’s home on prom day, April 13. She had no idea because her dad hid the letter from her, just in case she wasn’t accepted. Her parents didn’t want the possibility of rejection to cast a shadow over her prom night memories.
But, she found out it had arrived. “I stayed at prom for a little bit, but I was so anxious that I left early and went home,” she said, recalling the moment she opened the tri-fold letter and saw the word “congratulations” at the top.
Preston Snow, a classmate of Alyssa’s, was chosen as an alternate for the program.
GSP is an intensive five-week summer program where students live on a college campus and study a focus area of their choosing. It is free of charge. This year candidates will go to Centre College, Morehead State University or Murray State University. Alyssa has not been notified of where she will spend a big portion of her summer.
“GSP is a bunch of intellectual students who are all on the same page and wanting more for their education. It’s really refreshing to be surrounded by that even on a smaller scale so the opportunity to be able to do that with several hundred students was something I wanted to be a part of,” she said.
“Congratulations to Miss Horner on applying for and receiving this wonderful opportunity,” Carroll County Schools Superintendent Casey Jaynes said. “Her dedication to her academic and personal studies will be enhanced by the Governor’s Scholars Program.”
With aspirations of becoming a pediatric dermatologist, Alyssa selected healthcare as her primary focus area, with psychology/behavioral studies and forensic science as backup choices. She'll engage in daily classes tailored to her interests, honing her skills within her chosen field.
She will attend classes daily related to her focus area and work on improving skills in that area. On the weekends, students have the opportunity to experience campus life and attend social events organized by the GSP staff.
A self-professed homebody, Alyssa said she is excited about the opportunities to meet new people but it will be a challenge to her typical small-town routine. “You can’t have your phone so you have to meet people the old-fashioned way,” she said. “It’s a little scary for me. I’m kind of getting out of my comfort zone a little bit, but I don’t think it’s something I cannot do.”
Alyssa encouraged anyone who is interested in the program to pursue their dream. She also recommended keeping a detailed account of all volunteer work you do, extracurricular activities and community involvement.
"Completing the GSP application is a significant accomplishment," she added. "You're essentially gearing yourself up for professionalism. Your future self will thank you for putting in the effort now."