The North Carolina Governor’s School is a prestigious residential summer school for gifted and talented students across the state established in 1963. Once again, Lee County Schools will be represented by a pair of outstanding young ladies, who will take part in an intensive academic course of study for four weeks over the break. Addison Tunnard, a junior at Lee Early College (LEC), and Larkin McBryde, a junior from Southern Lee, will participate in this year’s program.
Tunnard will be attending Governor’s School East, held at Meredith College this year. She will concentrate in the area of Social Science for the summer, as she hopes to double-major in International Relations and Psychology prior to attending law school after graduating from LEC. She eventually hopes to become a diplomat.
Addison is very active on the LEC campus, serving as the President of the Young Commissioners 4-H Club and treasurer of the Lee County Youth Council. Pam Kerley, the Program Assistant for 4-H in Lee County described Tunnard, “highly capable and willing to step into leadership positions. She demonstrates a high level of independence and appreciates the opportunity for self-agency that is 4-H. Addison chooses to engage in activities that stretch her and move her outside her comfort zone positively towards growth.”
McBryde is also a highly motivated student, who will attend Governor’s School West at Greensboro College this summer, concentrating in the Natural Science area. She knows well what to expect, following her sister Olivia who attended Governor’s School a few years prior. Her graduation plans steer her toward studying pediatric occupational therapy at East Carolina because she genuinely enjoys working with children and is looking for a career where she can make a positive impact in their lives.
Larkin is a member of the National Honor Society, an officer in Future Farmers of America (FFA), and ran for the Southern Lee Cross Country team in the fall. She keeps busy working a pair of jobs, one at a family-owned restaurant and the other at a florist in Southern Pines. When she can, she enjoys the opportunity to volunteer through the Partnership for Children and Families.
Larkin’s science teacher, Matthew Charles said, “Larkin is a great student. She is actively involved in class, often asking questions that attempt to create big-picture ideas and connecting multiple concepts and subjects. She genuinely considers and processes new ideas.”
Governor’s School accepts approximately 800 students annually from across the state. Over 1900 students were nominated by school districts in North Carolina this year with each district in the state only guaranteed one spot. Director of Academically and Intellectually Gifted Education for Secondary Schools, Mr. Dillon Crockett noted, “Any student who reaches this level has out-competed thousands of students to receive this distinction. Many students who return from this experience say it has been the best and most life-changing educational experience they have had. We are tremendously proud of both Addison and Larkin and cannot wait to see how they continue to shine in their academic careers.”