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ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– This year, five students from Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) have been selected as finalists and one student has been selected as an alternate to attend the 2026 Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) hosted at Georgia Southern University this summer.
The students selected are:
- Laila Coleman (Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology) – Science, Biology/Environmental Science.
- Macyn Frazier (Heritage High School) – Communicative Arts.
- Wyatt Howell (HHS) – Music, Voice: Tenor.
- Francisco Rodriguez (RMSST) – Mathematics.
- Gabrielle Thomson (Rockdale County High School) – Visual Arts.
- Alternate: Madison Reese (HHS) – Dance.
RCPS Superintendent Shirley Chesser congratulated the students, their families and staff members for their hard work.
“I wholeheartedly congratulate our outstanding students selected as Finalists and Alternate for the Governor’s Honors Program. This prestigious program will bring our students enriched experiences and opportunities to connect with other talented students from across the state.
I thank the teachers, instructors, leaders and families
who supported our students throughout this process and made this possible.”
GHP is a residential summer program for gifted and talented high school juniors and seniors. Selection is based on a combination of ability and interest and is highly competitive. Thousands of students were nominated at the state level and those selected as Semifinalists underwent a rigorous interview and audition/review process before being named Finalists.
The 2026 Governor’s Honors Program will take place on the campus of Georgia Southern University, beginning June 14, 2026.
Students will spend the mornings in their major area of nomination, exploring topics not usually found in the regular high school classroom for four consecutive weeks. Evenings are filled with opportunities to attend seminars, activities, concerts, and performances.
More information about GHP can be found on the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement website,
https://gosa.georgia.gov/governors-honors-program.