11 Cherokee students among Governor's Honors finalists | Schools

CANTON, Ga. -- Eleven gifted students from Cherokee County have been selected as finalists for this year's Georgia Governor's Honors Program.

Governor's Honors is a four-week summer program held every year at Valdosta State University. It gives some of the state's best and brightest high school student an opportunity to explore areas that interest them through a challenging and engaging curriculum.

"GHP is such a competitive program that even being nominated is an accomplishment," Dale Lyles, director of the program, said in a statement. "I congratulate the students of Cherokee County School District and look forward to meeting them and their parents in June."

To be chosen for the program, students are nominated by their teachers and undergo a rigorous application and interview process.

Cherokee County's 11 Governor's Honors finalists are:

Cherokee High School
* Macy Werner, Spanish

Creekview High School
* Janet Garner, mathematics
* Caitlyn McCord, communicative arts
* Jack O'Donnell, architectural design
* Eric Rhonehouse, architectural design

Etowah High School
* Alexander Johnson, social studies
* Victoria Thompson, theatre performance

River Ridge High School
* Raj Patel, mathematics

Sequoyah High School
* Connor Reeder, Spanish

Woodstock High School
* Kerby Baier, music (voice)
* Emily Shuman, music (voice)