At first unsure about the Governor’s Scholars Program, after five weeks on Bellarmine University’s campus this summer, senior Thomas Beyerle had made up his mind. He said, “(It) was the best five weeks of my life.”

On its home page the GSP states, “The program provides academic and personal growth through the balance of a strong liberal arts program with a full co-curricular and residential life experience.”

Senior Braden Lauer agreed with that promise: “It’s a

lifelong connection,” Lauer said, “a way to see people you’ve never met before.”

Senior Eric Elder said, “It showed me the value of each individual.”

The process for acceptance into the program included a 500-word essay, academic achievement, and community leader and teacher recommendations.

Three schools take part in GSP: Morehead State University, Murray State University and Bellarmine University. The program consists of three classes attended weekly. Students choose a class, a teacher chooses the curriculum for the second class, and the third class is seminar style, during which students share their views.

Lauer, who attended the Governor’s School for the Arts the summer before his junior year, said, “The difference (with GSA) was you had a set schedule the entire time.”

In addition to the work, Elder said, there was time to relax: “We played ping pong and basketball. It was a lot of fun.”