Gordon's Presidential Scholars, their high school and intended major include: Natalie Neil, Northside High School - Columbus, education; Kazuya Gatlin, Spalding High School, general education; Manuella Martins, Upson-Lee High School, nursing; Tori Smith, Jackson High School, biology; Meghan Butler, Eagles Landing High School, nursing; Katie Maddox, Jackson High School, biology; Madie Green, Loganville High School, nursing; Mackenzie Kirk,, Pike County High School, biology; Taylor Dykes, Bleckley County High School, nursing. Genevieve Chan, McIntosh High School, mathematics; Michael Meason, Newnan High School, biology. Not shown, Rebekah Ostrom, Ola High School, education.

 

They are among the best of the best, a cohort of area high school students selected to be the first Gordon State College Presidential Scholars starting Fall semester.

"We started with 130 applicants and kept evaluating until we got the final group down to 10 but were so impressed with the group we decided to add two more," Gordon State College President Max Burns told the Scholars, their parents and GSC faculty during a reception welcoming them to campus. "We are so glad you are here. You won't get lost in the crowd. You will have the opportunity to get to know us."

The Scholars, their high schools and intended majors include: Natalie Neil, Northside High School - Columbus, education; Kazuya Gatlin, Spalding High School, undecided; Manuella Martins, Upson-Lee High School, nursing; Tori Smith, Jackson High School, biology; Meghan Butler, Eagles Landing High School, nursing; Katie Maddox, Jackson High School, biology; Madie Green, Loganville High School, nursing; Mackenzie Kirk,, Pike County High School, biology; Taylor Dykes, Bleckley County High School, nursing; Genevieve Chan, McIntosh High School, mathematics; Michael Meason, Newnan High School, biology.

Gordon honors student Katherine Crawford also greeted the group telling them to not "…let your fear ruin your experience here." She spoke of how becoming involved in the Honors Program helped her to get involved in activities on campus and meet new people.

"I'm here if you need me," she said.

Mackinzie Kirk, who will soon graduate from Pike County High School, plans to major in biology and hopes to become a physical therapist.

"I'm really excited about coming to school here," she said. "I look forward to the challenge that college-level classes will offer me."

Michael Meason will play baseball for the Highlanders in the fall and pursue a degree in biology. He wants to follow his parents, Teresa and Michael Sr., into the medical field and would like to become a respiratory therapist.

The group includes four students who want to study nursing, four with an interest in biology, two who want to teach, one who is into mathematics and one who hasn't yet decided his path.

"I just want to see what interests me," said Kazuya Gatlin, a soon-to-be graduate of Spalding High School. "I look forward to the challenge of college classes and deciding what eventually interests me."

As Presidential Scholars the students will represent Gordon State College at events on and off campus, receive a scholarship, receive a designated and much coveted parking space, receive special recognition at graduation and other accolades as the program grows.

"I'm so excited," said Natalie Neil who wants to become an educator. "I look forward to college life and becoming involved in the Honors Program. I appreciate the opportunity that Gordon has offered me."