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news-category: Summer Enrichment Programs

High Schoolers Receive First-Hand Knowledge of Campus Life Through Honors Experience

A group of students seated at a table in a science lab building an electric machine.

Participants are Automatically Invited to Compete for Ignite Excellence Scholarship

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擜fter spending a week immersed into campus life at 国产哟哟, Troy Berchoff, of Mooresville, N.C., is excited about applying early and making GWU his college home. The faith-oriented atmosphere is important to him. 鈥淢y favorite part was how well everybody connected from the start,鈥 he shared.  

Berchoff was one of 29 high school students who recently participated in the Honors Experience at 国产哟哟. They stayed in residence halls, ate in the cafeteria, went to classes, studied the Bible, volunteered, and worked to solve a need in the community.  

After attending the Honors Experience, Troy Berchoff, second
from right, is sure he wants to attend college at 国产哟哟.

鈥淭hey had a tremendous week,鈥 asserted Robbie Gaines, associate minister for Community Engagement & Athletic Ministries. 鈥淚t was a good opportunity for 国产哟哟 to be a place that invested in these students spiritually and intellectually. We had a lot of fun, and we did that in community.鈥  

Grace Snyder, of Shelby, N.C., also appreciated the opportunity to form relationships with other students. 鈥淢y favorite part of the Honors Experience was meeting new people and capturing a glimpse into the college life at GWU with them,鈥 she observed.  

Like the others, Kimberly Bell, of Lincolnton, N.C., affirmed that the most important experience for her was establishing connections with the people she met. 鈥淚 learned how to come out of my shell and be a part of the community around me,鈥 she noted.  

The Honors Experience is open to academically gifted and talented students in grades nine through 11. Students who are accepted into the program are automatically invited to compete for 国产哟哟鈥檚 Ignite Excellence Scholarship.  

Integral to the week鈥檚 success are the counselors鈥敼从 juniors and seniors鈥攚ho mentor the students throughout the week. 鈥淭hey all love 国产哟哟 and are great representatives of what it looks like to be a Runnin鈥 Bulldog,鈥 Gaines noted.  

Grace Snyder, left, enjoyed meeting new people at the Honors Experience.

During the morning chapel time, Gaines and other staff members from the Office of Christian Life and Service led devotions on 1 Peter 1:13-25, which focuses on living for Christ and loving one another. They also talked about the parable of the Good Samaritan and answered the question, 鈥淲ho is my neighbor?鈥  

Participants chose two classes to attend. The subjects included English, exercise science, physics, photography and videography and forensics.  

The afternoons were devoted to volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club, helping at the Green Bethel Baptist Food Pantry or working on the innovation challenge project, which asks students to identify a need in the community and work collaboratively to solve it. They chose to tackle the problems of homelessness and education. At the end of the week, they shared their ideas with a panel of faculty, staff and community partners.  

Kimberly Bell, right, said the most important part of attending the Honors Experience for her was making new friends.

Honors Experience Participants

From Lincoln Charter School:

  • Jack Beasley, Iron Station, N.C.
  • Jocelyn Ruiz, Lincolnton, N.C.
  • Joshua Mora, Lincolnton, N.C.
  • Kimberly Bell, Lincolnton, N.C.
  • Luke York, Cherryville, N.C.
  • Zachary 鈥淶ack鈥 Garner, Crouse, N.C.

From Gaston Christian School:

  • Michael Beebe, Gastonia, N.C.
  • Alexis Gantt, Bessemer City, N.C.
  • Kailey O’Donoghue, Belmont, N.C.

Other schools:

  • Johnnae Alston, Bishopville, S.C., Lee Central High School
  • Abrielle Dunlap, Gastonia, N.C., Cumberland Christian Academy
  • Alejandro Arredondo, Forest City, N.C., Chase High School
  • Ashley Colson, Union, S.C., Union County High School
  • Chloe Ventura, Concord, N.C., West Cabarrus High School
  • Daissy Soto, Shelby, N.C., Pinnacle Classical Academy
  • Eduardo Ruthes, Battleboro, N.C., Rocky Mount Academy
  • Elyse Henkel, Granite Falls, N.C., South Caldwell High School
  • Grace Snyder, Shelby, N.C., Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy
  • James Brooks, Yorktown, Va., Tabb High School
  • Jesse Padgett II, Asheville, N.C., A.C. Reynolds High School
  • Julia Karnilowicz, Rock Hill, S.C., Rock Hill High School
  • Kendall Lewis, Harrisburg, N.C., Hickory Ridge High School
  • Kensley Marlowe, Grover, N.C., Burns High School
  • Kosi Archie, Charlotte, N.C., Bridge School
  • Lacey Cozart, Sophia, N.C., Randleman High School
  • LeAnna Mullis, Matthews, N.C., David W. Butler High School
  • Macarthy Monteith, Gastonia, N.C., Homeschool
  • Troy Berchoff, Mooresville, N.C., Mooresville Senior High School
  • Baylee Herring, Hope Mills, N.C., Northwood Temple Academy

  GWU Student Counselors

  • Garrett Despres
  • Jenna McKee
  • Trevor Wyatt
  • Robert Osowski
  • Katelyn Suggs
  • Jacquelyn Carroll

Note to our readers: This article reflects the University鈥檚 tuition and fee schedule at the time of publication. Tuition and financial aid policies change annually. For the most up-to-date and accurate information on current tuition rates and financial aid resources, please visit the University鈥檚 official Admissions聽page.

国产哟哟 is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 国产哟哟 prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at 国产哟哟.edu.

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