Lake Oconee Academy

Greensboro, GA — Lake Oconee Academy is proud to announce to recognize the following three students who have been selected as semifinalists for the prestigious Governor’s Honors Program (GHP), one of the most competitive academic programs in the state of Georgia:
Jameson Lackey (10th Grade) — Mathematics
Jillian Gruszynski (10th Grade) — Social Studies
Lillian Garcia-Carreras (11th Grade) — Theater

This year, approximately 4,300 students statewide were nominated for GHP, with just over 1,500 students advancing to the semifinalist round. Representing not just LOA but also all of Greene County, these three semifinalists will travel to Georgia Southern University on February 28th to participate in interviews and auditions as part of the next phase of the selection process.

Students who advance beyond the semifinalist round will be invited to attend the four-week Governor’s Honors Program this summer, a fully funded residential experience that provides Georgia’s most talented students with intensive, college-level coursework in their chosen fields. The program is supported by the Governor’s Office and is widely regarded as one of the highest academic honors a high school student in Georgia can achieve.

“A GHP student is one who exhibits an undeniable passion for their subject and a desire to learn at a deeper level that can’t always be satisfied in a traditional classroom,” according to the program’s official selection criteria. “These students seek opportunities to explore their interests independently and with purpose.”

LOA administrators and faculty credit the students’ success not only to their individual dedication, but also to the collaborative support of teachers and mentors who have guided them throughout the process.

“We are incredibly proud of these students and grateful for the educators who devote countless hours to preparing and encouraging them,” said LOA Executive Director, Brad Bowling. “Having three students reach this level of recognition is an outstanding achievement for Lake Oconee Academy.”

The LOA community congratulates Jameson, Jillian, and Lillian on this remarkable accomplishment and wishes them the very best as they continue in the Governor’s Honors Program selection process.