Fannin County High School junior McCay Turner was recently selected to the 2020 Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) in Science (Chemistry).
The program takes 1/4 of the top 1% of all sophomores and juniors in the state, and is described as a “residential summer program for gifted and talented high school students who will be rising juniors and seniors during the program.”
It offers instruction that is different from the typical high school classroom, which is designed to provide students with “academic, cultural, and social enrichment necessary to become the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators, and leaders.”
“This will be the most challenging academic environment I have ever been faced with,” Turner said. “Above all, I am excited to have my chemistry knowledge tested and expanded upon throughout the program.”
Turner’s Chemistry teacher, Sabrina Howard, nominated him to submit an application in to be reviewed.
“For the application I had to research a certain real-world problem pertaining to chemistry and come up with some type of solution to the problem,” Turner said. “They also looked at overall academics, school involvement, etc. After making it through the application round of several hundred students, I then had to do an interview at Berry College where, once more, I had to evaluate a real-world problem and come up with a solution.
“The interview also had hundreds of students for chemistry as it was a popular subject. Eventually, I was notified that the solution to the problem I had proposed and interview performance met the criteria to have me land a spot at GHP. There were only around 30 students selected for chemistry in the end so it was quite an accomplishment to be selected to attend.”
Turner has always placed academics as a top priority in his life.
“I have also always taken the most rigorous courses the school offered to prepare myself for the future,” he said.
He is excited for the opportunity and to see the results of his hard work.
“It is wonderful to see all my hard work in school and academics finally produce a result such as GHP,” he said. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that not many get to experience, so it most certainly feels great.”
Turner expressed his appreciation for his parents for getting him to this point stating, “They raised me in a very disciplined manor and are the reason for where I am today.”
He also thanked Howard, his guidance counselor Jennifer Walker, and the high school’s administration for pushing him in the path toward this opportunity.
“They assisted me throughout the process and ensured that I was prepared every step of the way,” he said.
When looking to the future, Turner hopes to attend the United States Air Force Academy or Naval Academy and pursue a degree in aerospace engineering.
This year’s program is scheduled to be held at Berry College in June. Turner has also been selected to attend the 2020 United States Naval Academy Summer Seminar in Annapolis, Maryland this year.
Turner’s parents, Adam and Lynn Turner, as well as his twin sister, Lyndsay, are proud and happy for Turner.
“McCay has given us many reasons to smile,” Adam Turner said. “This school year alone has been big both academically and athletically. Just in the last few months, McCay was selected to the United States Naval Academy summer seminar, the Governor’s Honors Program, and back in February, he finished third at the GHSA State Wrestling Championships. We could go on and on about him.”