Danville’s 2008 Governor’s Scholars make quite an interesting group. Four students spent considerable effort on the application, though Jane Morrison admitted to finishing it quickly. Some were attracted to the attached scholarship, but Kyle Snapp and McKay Nelson were also influenced by siblings. While the majority lost track of their course preferences, Corinne Baskin clearly recounted hers: the diverse areas of “Russian, psychology, and music.” Quite uniquely, Cole Steber submitted an essay on his “dad’s beehive.”

With the motto In Varietate Concordia (Latin for “United in Diversity”), GSP has been bringing high school juniors from across Kentucky to college campuses since 1983. This motto aptly encapsulates GSP’s two aims. First, the camp teaches dissimilar subjects from comic books and juggling to philosophy and anthropology. Second, it seeks to unite a variety of students into an interknit community for the five weeks of the camp.

Each Kentucky school is allowed to submit a number of scholars for consideration. This number is primarily based on student population. Candidates must fill out several pages of forms, pen two essays, and obtain teacher recommendations. Applications are first examined by Danville High. Once five are selected, they are sent to the state for further review.

Although none of the students seem to fully know what to expect at GSP, this year’s admittees cited different and quite specific reasons for applying. Baskin expressed interest in learning in general — she even plans to study Russian despite a complete lack of prior experience. Three (Morrison, Snapp, and Nelson) first learned about the program from older siblings who had previously attended.

But despite some differences, the five shared common grounds — a desire to “make new friends” and “experience college life.” But while the students are excited about “experiencing new things” and spending five weeks away from home, many also see the benefits of staying close to home. Morrison and Nelson are looking to venture to Bellarmine University in Louisville, but Snapp, Steber, and Baskin are all hoping to attend the Centre College campus — where the experience of GSP meets the “convenience” of Danville.