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Wlaf1450Four CCHS students accepted into Governor’s School
A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.
By Charlotte Underwood
JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- Campbell County High School has four students accepted into Governor’s School; this is a “historic event for CCHS”, according to school officials.
Jace Huddleston and Noah Campbell are both attending the Governor’s School for Music at MTSU. Emma Lawson is going to UT Knoxville for Science and Engineering and Kainoa Morton is headed to the Governor’s School for Agriculture at Tennessee Tech.
“Last year, CCHS had two students attend Governor’s School. This year we have four! That’s historic,” said, CCHS Advance Placement Liaison Ann Browning.
Tennessee Governor’s Schools are “intensive summer programs for gifted high school students, offering specialized study in arts, sciences, humanities, and leadership disciplines.”
According to TN.gov, the Tennessee Governor’s Schools are “summer residential programs designed for rising 11th and 12th grade students who demonstrate exceptional talent and motivation.”
Established in 1984 by Governor Lamar Alexander, these programs “provide high-intensity learning experiences across multiple disciplines, including arts, STEM, humanities, agriculture, international studies, and prospective teaching careers. Students are nominated by high school faculty and selected through a competitive application process.”
According to Browning, the process is “super competitive.”
“Students must be nominated by a teacher or counselor, have exemplary attendance, and an outstanding academic record that includes honors and AP classes, a high ACT score, letters of reference, and in the case of music, an audition,” Browning said.
Governor’s School for the Arts (GSFTA): Focuses on music, visual art, theatre, dance, and filmmaking. Students participate in a three-week pre-professional summer curriculum with individual and group instruction at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU).
Each student said this was a life-changing opportunity.
For musician Noah Campbell, the opportunity to meet new musicians is something he is looking forward to.
“It feels great to be accepted to Governors School for the Arts. I love meeting new musicians, and I am very excited to experience the life of a music major for the month of June,” Campbell said.
Jace Huddleston said, “I am ready and excited to attend. It was a very competitive audition, and I am proud to be selected.”
Emma Lawson said the experience is invaluable for college preparation.
Governor’s School for the Sciences & Engineering is a “4-week on-campus program that provides the opportunity for advanced study, laboratory experience, research in modern science and mathematics, and an immersive college experience. GSSE will only be held in-person on the campus of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.”
“Governors School will allow me to experience UT on a whole new level, meet so many new people, and prepare me for the college experience!” Lawson said.
For Kainoa Morton, the experience will open multiple opportunities.
Tennessee Governor’s School for the Agricultural Sciences (TGSAS) provides a broad overview of agriculture and natural resources.
“Attending Governor’s School will open new education, leadership and networking opportunities for me. The chance to represent Campbell County is an honor and I am very excited for this experience.” Morton said.
Campbell County High School Principal Ben Foust said he could not be prouder of the students.
“We are very proud of these four students for earning acceptance into a Tennessee Governor’s School. This is a tremendous accomplishment and a reflection not only of their talent, but also of their work ethic and willingness to push themselves beyond the ordinary. Opportunities like this do not just happen. They happen because of students who are willing to put in the work, families who support them, and a school that is committed to creating real pathways for students to excel. There are a lot of great things happening at CCHS every day, and our students continue to prove they can compete with anyone in the state when they are given strong support and meaningful opportunities. I think this is also a reminder of the high-level work our students and staff are doing and what is possible when that work is recognized and built upon. We are extremely proud of these four students and excited to see all they will accomplish,” Foust said.
A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.
For bookings, email Olivia Lobertini at ohlobertini03@gmail.com. Check on avails HERE. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-03/23/2026-6AM-PHOTOS SUBMITTED)