Semifinalists for the statewide Governor’s Honors Program have been announced, and current juniors Kathleen Hwang and Kines Smith, and current sophomore Hayes Parsa, have been selected to advance in the Visual Arts, Science (Biology/Environmental Science), and Computer Science categories, respectively.
"I cannot remember the last time we had three semifinalists for GHP," said Chad Woods, director of Upper School. "I am proud of Kathleen, Kines and Hayes for this accomplishment. Being selected as a semifinalist is an honor and a testament to their hard work. I think they have a great chance to be invited into the program after the interview process."
The Governor's Office of Student Achievement indicated that approximately 3,200 students were nominated for the program at the state-level and nearly 1,300 of them have been selected as semi-finalists for state interviews/auditions. Interviews for semi-finalists will take place at Georgia Southern University on Feb. 24 and finalists and alternates will be notified March 22.
A boarding student enrolled since the 10th grade, Hwang has completed two AP courses and one honors course. She is currently enrolled in five AP courses. During her freshman year, she was awarded the E.L. Wright Award in the subject of Introduction to Economics.
Smith has been enrolled at Darlington since pre-K. During his time as a student, he has completed two AP courses and four honors courses. He is currently enrolled in four AP courses. He was awarded the E.L. Wright Award in the subject of Spanish 4.
Parsa is a day student enrolled at Darlington since the ninth grade. He has completed one AP course and five honors courses, and is currently enrolled in four AP courses and two honors courses. As a freshman, he was awarded the Class Scholarship Award, the Hanks Medal for Scholarship, and E.L. Wright Awards in the subjects of Geometry Honors, English I Honors, Algebra 2 Honors, Physics Honors, and Spanish 2 Honors.
"Darlington School has great students doing so many great things on and off campus," said Woods. "It is always great when our students get recognized for their hard work and abilities."
The Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) is a residential summer program for gifted and talented high school students who will be rising juniors and seniors during the program. The program offers instruction that is significantly different from the typical high school classroom and that is designed to provide students with academic, cultural, and social enrichment necessary to become the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators, and leaders.
Hwang is a boarding student from Norcross, Ga. and is the daughter of Dr. Yujin Kim. Smith is a day student from Rome, Ga. and is the son of Sandi and Michael Smith. Parsa is a day student from Rome, Ga. and is the son of Suzanne and Dr. Cyrus Parsa.
