PA Governor’s Schools of Excellence Select
Six PRHS Students to Participate in 2008 Program & Name Two Alternates

 The Pennsylvania Governor’s Schools of Excellence is announcing that it selected six Pine-Richland High (PRHS) school students to participate in its 2008 program. Two additional students from PRHS are being named alternates. 

A state tradition spanning more than three decades, the Governor’s Schools of Excellence are a comprehensive set of residential summer programs held on college campuses.  Admission to the programs is highly competitive.  This year, 3,736 applicants vied for 788 positions in the programs. 

Students are selected on the meritorious basis of their artistic or academic talent as demonstrated through their applications.

 Here’s a look at which PRHS students were selected and their respective placement.

Names                   Governor’s School               
Emily Wobb                        Arts -- Visual Arts          
Holly Belkot                        Global Entrepreneurship           
Patrice Zigrossi                   Health Care      
William Miller                       Info., Society & Technology
Alexis Gutshall                     International Studies
Hannah Staiger                    Teaching          

Alternates
Alisssa Kasunich (Alternate) Arts/Dance               
Joseph Paulina (Alternate)   Arts/Dance           

 Governor’s Schools involve participants in challenging, intensive and experiential activities that are closely mentored by professionals in each field.  Graduates of the programs are encouraged to share their talents in their local communities through service leadership.

 Alumni of the programs include the 1998 Pulitzer Prize winner in music composition, Aaron Jay Kernis, actor Kevin Bacon and bestselling novelist Alice Sebold.  There are over 15,000 graduates distinguishing themselves in many different walks of life, including the creative and performing arts, scientific research, engineering, technological industries, law, public service and policy, scholarship, medicine and human services, education and private business.

The programs include: the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Agricultural Sciences at the Pennsylvania State University, University Park; the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts at Mercyhurst College, in Erie; the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for Global Entrepreneurship at Lehigh University, Bethlehem; the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for Health Care at the University of Pittsburgh; the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for International Studies at the University of Pittsburgh; the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for Information, Society and Technology, at Drexel University, Philadelphia; The Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh; and the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for teaching at Millersville University, Lancaster County.

Additionally, a new program, the Governor’s School for Urban Teaching is being launched at Temple University this summer.

The Governor’s Schools are sponsored by the state Department of Education.  Additionally, the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for Health Care is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.