Greenwood County students graduate from the S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities

Greenwood County students graduate from the S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities

GREENVILLE, S.C.- Four students from Greenwood were among the 102 who graduated from the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, a public, residential high school in Greenville.

Graduates include Esperanza Landeros-Hernandez, Emily Grace Ling, and Emily Kate Seymour who all attended Greenwood High School prior to being selected for the Governor’s School, and Charles Robinson Beecher Stowe II, who attended Cambridge Academy.

“These graduates have had a unique high school experience, unlike most others,” said Dr. Cedric Adderley, Governor’s School president. “In addition to the required coursework in their artistic area and a heavy schedule of performances and presentations, our graduates were successful in balancing intense requirements for traditional academic classes and advanced AP classes. The Governor’s School experience allowed them to not only cultivate their artistic talents to the highest level, but also those life skills such as independence and self-discipline that will prepare them for success at the collegiate level and in their chosen profession.”

Named one of “America’s Most Challenging High Schools” by The Washington Post, and an “Exemplary School” by the Arts Schools Network, these students completed a rigorous academic curriculum for which they received a traditional high school diploma; participated in Humanities studies, which earned them a Scholar’s Diploma; and received pre-professional training in their chosen art field-creative writing, dance, drama, music or visual arts.

Collectively, the Governor’s School’s Class of 2017 received a record-breaking $36 million in scholarship offers. They will be attending prestigious universities and conservatories across the nation including American University, Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music, Boston Conservatory, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, Cleveland Institute of Art, Kenyon College, Mannes School of Music, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, The New School, Oberlin Conservatory, Pratt Institute, Purdue University, Savannah College of Art and Design, Ringling College of Art and Design, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Vanderbilt University, and almost every major university in South Carolina.

The S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities is the only school of its kind in the nation offering a tuition-free, two-year, residential high school arts program in a master-apprentice style community. Any tenth grade student living in South Carolina can apply and audition to attend the Governor’s School’s high school program during their junior and senior years. The music and dance programs also accept exceptionally-talented sophomores. With a maximum capacity of 242 students, and approximately 1,000 students applying per year, the audition process is very competitive. However, due to multi-faceted selection criteria, the Governor’s School’s student body demographics are highly reflective of the state’s, with students coming from all socio-economic backgrounds.

The Governor’s School will begin accepting applications for the 2018-2019 school year and summer programs beginning September 1, 2017. Individuals can apply online at www.scgsah.org.
About S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities
Located in Greenville, the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities (SCGSAH) cultivates young artists from across the state through pre-professional training in the areas of creative writing, dance, drama, music and visual arts. As a public, residential high school, serving juniors and seniors, students refine their talents in a master-apprentice community while receiving a nationally recognized academic education. Summer programs are available to rising 7th-12th grade students, and SCGSAH serves as a resource to all teachers and students in South Carolina, offering comprehensive outreach programs designed to bring together artists, educators, community organizations and schools. www.scgsah.org