Attending Arkansas Governor’s School was more than an educational and fun experience for Olivia Marotte. It was the fulfillment of a lifelong goal.
“It was so attractive to me because it is intellectually stimulating, but there are no grades and not a lot of stress,” said Marotte, who is from Conway. “It’s all about the manifestation of the curious side of yourself that you sometimes don’t get to express at school because of the restrictions that are put on you for grades and what not.”
Marotte was among almost 400 rising high school seniors who completed the 40th Arkansas Governor’s School on Saturday, Aug. 3. It marked the first AGS conducted at Arkansas Tech University, which will welcome the program back to its Russellville campus in 2020 and 2021.
AGS students are selected for the program due to demonstrated gifts and talents in one of nine Area I academic disciplines: visual arts, choral music, instrumental music, drama, English/language arts, mathematics, natural science, social science or cybersecurity.
Marotte’s Area I specialty was English/language arts. Like each of her fellow 2019 AGS participants, she was exposed to impact speakers and impact movies designed to spark conversations about the role that technology is playing and will continue to play in society.
“We’ve been able to discuss the ethics and implications…there’s so much technology in our society, and I feel like we’re able to discuss that a lot more here,” said Marotte. “(AGS) has shifted, but I feel like for the better. In this new age in the wake of so many breakthroughs, it’s good to be able to discuss that in this type of setting.
“I feel like it was a step in the right direction,” continued Marotte. “Incorporating STEM into the discussion is broadening the scope of what job opportunities can occur while continuing to recognize that the arts are important. Philosophy and conceptual thinking and development have very real value in STEM and technology, which infiltrate all of our lives significantly.”
Kasey Brown traveled from Monticello to Russellville for her AGS experience. She appreciated the opportunity to pursue study in her specialty, mathematics, free from the burdens of judgment.
“It’s really stressful to have to worry about always being your best,” said Brown. “Here, you can know nothing and still come and learn something without that pressure. It’s a lot easier for me because I like to learn. I loved coming and learning more deeply about something I love.”
Brown found equal value in AGS Area II, a block of time set aside to analyze the nature of knowledge and develop critical thinking skills.
“You can have an opinion, and no one (at AGS) is going to attack you for it,” said Brown. “Everyone just has a reasonable discussion so you can see why people think the way they do. You might not think the way they do, and you might not agree with it, but those are your values. It helps me know more about my identity and myself. I’ve never had time before to just sit and think about who I am.”
Zach Finn of Fayetteville was one of Brown’s fellow mathematics students at AGS. Personal connections highlighted his Governor’s School experience.
“I’ve learned so much here and made so many new friends,” said Finn. “Everyone is so accepting, and I feel like the friends I’ve made are people I’ve known for a long time even though I just met them two weeks ago. There’s definitely a mix of crowds, but I’ve found my people here.”
Finn pursued his interest in mechanical engineering while at AGS. He also discovered how membership in a cohort of peers can push him to be his best.
“Surrounding myself with everyone (at AGS) has shown me my leadership potential,” said Finn. “What I learned here is going to change the way approach the future. I’ve become a lot more confident in myself academically. Being here, one of 400 people in Arkansas accepted, has changed so much. It makes me strive to want to learn more. It’s for your own personal growth. Everyone in the class wants to learn, and that makes me want to learn more. When everyone is engaged, it makes me want to engage more. (AGS) changed my life.”
Elias Bishara of North Little Rock envisions his life leading to a career with the Federal Bureau of Investigations. AGS helped him believe he can reach that goal.
“It’s a very unique experience,” said Bishara. “Being (at AGS) and having no grades, it’s like having accomplishments over and over again. It’s such a confidence booster that you keep wanting to participate and work with it. I’d rather sit in a room for an hour and 30 minutes talking about these topics as opposed to sitting down and writing out of a book. We are all individuals and have our unique personalities. All of us learn differently, and that’s what AGS works with. It attunes to all learning styles. I feel like being here has taught me more about what I’m actually interested in.”
Shania Cogdill of Conway heard all about Governor’s School from friends who went through the program in 2018. Their words encouraged her to pursue the opportunity in preparation for her senior year in high school and beyond.
“It gives me a little taste of what college is going to be like,” said Cogdill, who has a goal of attending the U.S. Air Force Academy. “Being away from home and not relying upon my parents teaches me some responsibility. I have to be in class on time, and if I get hungry I have to go to the cafeteria. I enjoy the discussion. Being at Governor’s School, you are around people who have different opinions. Keeping an open mindset and allowing yourself to accept the opinions of others broadens your perspective on a lot of issues.”
Cogdill found she received as much from the program as she put into it.
“You are only here for a month and you only get this experience once,” said Cogdill when asked what advice she would offer to future AGS students. “Make every moment count. Go to all the lectures you can, even if they are optional. Learn as much as you can, make new friends, put yourself out there and get involved with the different extracurricular activities. Take everything in and enjoy yourself.”
The final week of the 40th Arkansas Governor’s School provided participants with an opportunity to receive personalized messages from leaders such as President Bill Clinton and Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
Once the final bit of wisdom was imparted, the students returned to their hometowns with a renewed sense of how they can lead within their spheres of influence.
“Everyone (at AGS) has ambition and purpose, and they’re willing to express that,” said Marotte. “We can all be at the top of our class and presidents of these clubs at school, but at AGS we’re all peers. That cultivates and facilitates a stronger sense of community, first of all, but we’re also able to get things done in a way that’s effective and cohesive. I think my leadership skills are growing a lot here. Having a relationship with people who feel the same way has made me grow. My true creative and curious self was manifested (at AGS). When I go back to high school, I think that will remain.”
