What was your favorite part of Arkansas Governor's School?

• I appreciated open-mindedness of everyone there. - Libby Holden, Melbourne High School
• My area 1 which is drama - Jakobi Oliver, Maumelle
• My favorite part of AGS was Monte Carlo night because everyone was able to have lots of fun with fun activities! - Hailey Bearden, Conway High
• I met so many people who are just as passionate about furthering their education. AGS helped me to decide on a career path because when I signed up I was having trouble deciding but Governor's school helped me to find more specific fields that appealed to my interests and passions. - Rachel Miller, West Fork
• Area 1 classes and 410s & 610s - Cindy Ramos, Lake Hamilton High School
• My favorite part of AGS was meeting all of the different people from around Arkansas, and making life-long friends. - Kerrigan Loyer, Heritage High School
• My favorite part of Arkansas Governor’s School was being able to be a part of a new community, full of individuals that cared about their future. I was able to learn and grow so much as a person and a singer. - Hannah Green, Siloam Springs High School
• The environment - Anna Hopper, Liberty University
• Making loads of new friends, opening my mind to new ideas and povs, and the fun activities we had the chance to attend - Kiersten Tallent, Star City High School
• The community. The fact that everyone was so nice and welcoming. - Keylen Botley, eStem High School
• I loved getting the feel of a college experience and interacting with new people. - Lauren Gregory, Jacksonville High School
• Meeting new people - Maria Waite, Bryant High School

 

What is something you learned while at Arkansas Governor's School?

• I learned to erase stereotypical labels from people who are different from me. - Libby Holden, Melbourne High School
• How to not make an enemy of someone during a debate and how to view different perspectives. - Jakobi Oliver, Maumelle
• I learned how to make my life more sustainable and conserving energy. - Hailey Bearden, Conway High
• I learned so many things in the field of Natural Science which I went for but also I learned a lot about how others think in Area 2 and Area 3 classes because we talked a lot about ethics and moral dilemmas but also things that are currently happening in the world and how they should be addressed. I got to do a lot of amazing things with people I would have never otherwise met. - Rachel Miller, West Fork
• How to meditate - Cindy Ramos, Lake Hamilton High School
• Sometimes all you need to do is put down your phone and you will meet so many new people and learn a lot of new information which will be beneficial later in life. - Kerrigan Loyer, Heritage High School
• I learned not to be afraid to meet new people. Even if you disagree with someone’s viewpoints, it doesn’t mean you can’t become friends and learn a lot from them. Arkansas Governor’s School allowed for me to look at things in other peoples perspectives. - Hannah Green, Siloam Springs High School
• How to approach things from different angles. - Anna Hopper, Liberty University
• I learned that time and gravity are intertwined, the closer something is to a gravitational force, the slower the time for that object moves. For example, time is passing right now, but the time passing through your feet is slower than the time passing through your head. I also learned how to listen to other people and respect their opinions, and how to disagree respectfully. - Kiersten Tallent, Star City High School
• I learned how to be more independent when it came to having to wake myself up and get to class on time. I also learned unity. I never thought my community would get as close as we did. - Keylen Botley, eStem High School
• I learned how to socialize and interact with others better. I also learned that it’s okay to have a different opinion from others or vice versa, but we should try to understand where others come from and be respectful. - Lauren Gregory, Jacksonville High School
• The importance of understanding someone’s point of view and how that can affect their decisions and opinions. - Maria Waite, Bryant High School

 

What would you say to a student who is considering applying to Arkansas Governor’s School but does not want to give up their summer to go to class for 4 weeks?

• I would tell them that AGS is so much more than class: it’s a community of critical thinkers. - Libby Holden, Melbourne High School
• Definitely apply to Governor School. It’s a once in a life time experience and you’ll make the greatest friends you’ll ever meet. - Jakobi Oliver, Maumelle
• This was one of the best learning experiences I have ever had plus it looks amazing on a college application. - Hailey Bearden, Conway High
• In the weeks that I was there, I learned an incredible skillset in regards to standing up for myself and others. I met so many people who I am still connected with and who are all working towards different things but are also struggling in the same places in life so we all gained a support group of peers in the time we were there. - Rachel Miller, West Fork
• That they should do it because in the end it is so worth it and how amazing of an opportunity it is to be able to meet new people and learning more in the things you love to know. - Cindy Ramos, Lake Hamilton High School
• You do so much more than just class. This is a chance to make memories that no one else will get. At Governor's School you don't really even feel like you're in class. You will only spend about 4-5 hours a day in class then the rest of the time you can do whatever you want. - Kerrigan Loyer, Heritage High School
• I understand leaving your family and friends to learn doesn’t seem fun, but think about all that you will miss out on. For instance, being a part of AGS looks great on college applications. You get to be a part of a strong community where you become so close with these people. You will even make life-long friends. - Hannah Green, Siloam Springs High School
• It’s worth the time. You’ll never have an opportunity like this again. - Anna Hopper, Liberty University
• This is not class. This is a time to get away from your normal everyday and have some fun. Yes, you do go to class and learn, but it’s not like being in regular school. It doesn’t even feel like going to class. You gain experiences no one else will get to, and you make connections that you’ll have for the rest of your life. Governor’s School friends are truly one of a kind. - Kiersten Tallent, Star City High School
• I would say that it is beyond worth it. Not only do the 4 weeks go by fast but every day is something new and it’s more worth it. - Keylen Botley, eStem High School
• It will not be a waste of your summer at all. There are so many fun activities to participate in and a great opportunity to meet other people. When you’re there it’s more like a four week vacation. - Lauren Gregory, Jacksonville High School

 

Some people have criticized Arkansas Governor’s School because they think it promotes a singular political viewpoint. How would you respond to this criticism?

• If AGS has taught me anything, it’s to listen to different points of view, not to conform to a single viewpoint. - Libby Holden, Melbourne High School
• I would think not. At Arkansas Governor’s School we were taught to learn to respect other perspectives because we don’t know what led up to their decision and personally I don’t think Governor’s School changed any of my political viewpoints. - Jakobi Oliver, Maumelle
• The reason why it may support a certain viewpoint is because the STUDENTS THEMSELVES have those viewpoints, therefore, they are more prevalent. - Hailey Bearden, Conway High
• Some of the ideals of AGS line up with specific political views but you can't just look at those parts of the program because other aspects line up with other views. While I was there I met people from all different blocks of life so we all think very differently and feel different ways about the world but we still all got along and heard each other out even if politically we didn't always agree. - Rachel Miller, West Fork
• This isn’t true because in class we would be able to have discussions where political viewpoints would show but they wouldn’t all be the same and we could all respect each other in class discussions. - Cindy Ramos, Lake Hamilton High School
• I personally don't think it promotes any type of political viewpoint. The only time I ever heard any talk about politics was when students brought it up in a respectful debate. - Kerrigan Loyer, Heritage High School
• First of all that is definitely false information. During our classes we explore several different political and ethical viewpoints. You have the freedom of speech in every class and wherever you go. The class discussions we had allowed for everyone to speak their mind freely. - Hannah Green, Siloam Springs High School
• I think it is a fair point. Programs should always be working to look at all viewpoints and respect them equally. - Anna Hopper, Liberty University
• I’ve heard this criticism many times from outside people, and I would have to completely disagree. AGS is not teaching us what to think, but how to think. They promote the idea of free expression, and being able to talk about your opinions and feelings without judgement. They want you to be able to gain different perspectives on topics so you can better understand what others think and why they think that. I’ve learned things at AGS about difficult subjects that I wouldn’t have learned or heard about in my household or community. I think AGS is a great place for learning how other stand on topics and being able to discuss each other’s standpoints without criticism. - Kiersten Tallent, Star City High School
• I think AGS is a place where everyone can voice an y opinion as long as it isn't violent to others. The teachers aren’t biased so I don't see how anyone could say it promotes a singular political viewpoint. - Keylen Botley, eStem High School
• AGS is very respectful of all opinions anyone is allow to express their opinion even if it’s not the most popular. They really make it a safe space for everyone. - Lauren Gregory, Jacksonville High School

 

What additional comments do you have about Arkansas Governor’s School that you want others to know?

• AGS was a life changing experience that I would recommend to any upcoming seniors. It’s an opportunity to be independent from your parents and to further explore your self-identity. - Libby Holden, Melbourne High School
• It give opportunities to the less unfortunate like me and across Arkansas, to value education and give opportunities that we formally didn’t have. - Jakobi Oliver, Maumelle
• You will be friends with almost everyone you meet there. - Hailey Bearden, Conway High
• As with anything, there are hard days and there will be people and things you disagree with but part of the role of being a student at AGS is the willingness to work around issues and still find ways to thrive in hard environments. In my opinion AGS was 100% worth it even though there were things that were difficult to work through but those challenges and the ability to work past them are why we went and why we all worked together so well. - Rachel Miller, West Fork
• It’s a wonderful experience. - Cindy Ramos, Lake Hamilton High School
• When looking at Arkansas Governor's School it may seem very daunting. I know personally that I was terrified to go because I didn't want to leave all of my friends and family behind for an entire month. I am a very introverted person so I didn't think it would be easy to make friends here, but then I realized that everyone is gonna feel timid so you just have to do it. I am so happy that I chose to go to AGS and make so incredible memories and friends. - Kerrigan Loyer, Heritage High School
• I am so proud to have been a part of Arkansas Governor’s School. If you are scared for any reason know that there are people there that you will meet that will change your life for the better! - Hannah Green, Siloam Springs High School
• Praise be to Peggy - Anna Hopper, Liberty University
• Arkansas Governor’s School has truly been a life changing experience. I’ve learned more in my 4 weeks of AGS than I have in 12 years of school. I’ve made friendships that I know will last a lifetime, because AGS friends are truly like no other. It’s a different kind of bond you make with these people. I would recommend AGS to anyone willing to apply. It’s an incredible program with awesome people who make it even better. I would apply every year if I could. - Kiersten Tallent, Star City High School
• That AGS is more than just 4 weeks of school. It’s a place for love, kindness, and tranquility on all levels. It’s a place where students can go to meet more people and truly see that there is more than just what they have at home. It’s a place for true independent thinking. - Keylen Botley, eStem High School
• At AGS you will begin to feel like a family with the people you’ve met and you won’t want to leave at the end. - Lauren Gregory, Jacksonville High School
• Before I came here everyone told me that it was going to be a waste of time, it is like voluntary summer school, and only nerds go to it. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Genuinely, AGS was the highlight of my summer and will be an experience that I’ll remember for a lifetime. Since there’s no grades, we were free to express ourselves through our learning, so it made it nothing like regular schooling. A variety of different people came here and because of the no phone policy I was able to branch out of my shell and meet new people. When people say they met lifelong friends here, they weren’t kidding. - Maria Waite, Bryant High School