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VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University is opening its campus to nearly 700 of the state’s most gifted and talented rising juniors and seniors during the 43rd Georgia Governor’s Honors Program.

Each year, teens are chosen from approximately 2,400 student nominees from throughout the state to take part in the six-week residential summer enrichment program, fully funded by the Georgia General Assembly. This summer marks the 27th year that VSU has hosted the program, which offers students an opportunity to explore one of 16 major courses and one minor course, while taking new and unconventional approaches to learning, thinking and solving problems.

“The goal of this program is to motivate students to become life-long learners. We try to get them to understand the joy of being smart is not just making A’s, but actually learning for their own sake and reward,” said Dale Lyles, assistant program director for instruction.

Students attend classes on campus Monday through Saturday and are actively involved in each session. The emphasis is on class discussion, group projects and theory analysis, which sometimes causes participants to reassess their own ideals and beliefs.

“In some of our social studies courses, students are studying St. Augustine’s theory of a just war and making ethical decisions on what is right and what is acceptable while looking at wars throughout history through today. In another course, they are studying the actual hand-written files of Irish Immigrant Union soldiers to determine those who rightfully deserved pensions,” Lyles said. “In Latin, students are reviewing the time period just before the creation of modern Europe, which is rarely spoken of in school, and some of the communication arts students are taking a look subjects as diverse as comic book heroes, zombies, the impact of photo retouching on American image, Shakespeare and advertising.”

GHP course instructors are selected from colleges, grade schools and various learning facilities from around the nation to offer students the most highly advanced and diverse course instruction.

“As instructors, we are mindful that we’re still dealing with minors, even in all their sophistication. However, we do present a more advanced approach to learning and tend to tackle issues that these students don’t address in public school. These kids are very gifted, and when they’re here, we want them to raise their hands and really have their questions answered, rather than be told that there isn’t time for that. Being exposed to this rare level of thought and being exposed to kids on their level often changes these students for the better,” Lyles said.

In the upcoming weeks, students will continue with their major and minor studies and participate in several other on-campus activities offered through the program including athletic and fitness activities, cinema nights, GHP Idol and a Grand Ball.

As Lyles looks toward future years with GHP, he encourages school coordinators, parents and students interested in the program to begin research early to become prepared. Information about the Governor’s Honors Program and criteria for nomination can be found at public.doe.k12.ga.us.