(SPRINGFIELD, Ky.) – Seven Washington County High School juniors and three sophomores have been selected for prestigious Governor’s Programs this summer. WCHS juniors Cambron Wright, Jacob Piasecki, Cassandra Lyons, Ashtyn Baker, Ashton Jones and Claire McCain have been accepted into the Governor’s Scholars Program. WCHS sophomores Samuel Gabhart and Will Mattingly have been accepted into the Governor’s School for the Arts. WCHS sophomore Lauren Taylor and junior Lucas Brothers have been accepted into the Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs. The Governor’s Scholar Program, which originated in 1983, is a summer residential program for outstanding high school students in Kentucky. Students who are selected attend the program free of charge. The program’s mission is to enhance Kentucky’s next generation of civic and economic leaders. To be accepted into the program, students must first compete at the school/district level, and those selected will then compete at the state-wide level. The Governor’s School for the Arts was established as a program of The Kentucky Center for the Arts and Kentucky Department of the Arts. It was inaugurated under former Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins and former president of the Kentucky Center for the Arts Marlow Burt and began in 1987. The Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs is a program that “empowers the dreams of Kentucky students who have the grit, drive and passion to be Bluegrass entrepreneurs and create jobs here”, according to its website. GSE graduated its first class in 2013.

Wright said he had heard the participating in GSP was fun and would look great on a resume. At WCHS, he is a Gifted and Talented student, he is a member of the Commander Golf team, Youth for Christ and is a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol Stewart Powell Cadet Squadron. He is the son of Ross and Sarah Wright.

WCHS junior Cambron Wright. (Photo, Washington County Schools)

Piasecki says he applied because he thought it would be a fun experience. At WCHS, he is a member of the Commander Tennis team, Commander Golf team, Commander Cross Country team, the school’s Student Council, Beta, National Honor Society, 4-H, the Environmental Club, the Academic Team, and the National Art Honor Society. He is also a Gifted and Talented student and is the son of Laura and Joseph Piasecki.

WCHS junior Jacob Piasecki. (Photo, Washington County Schools)

Lyons said her older sister attended the program and she also liked the prospect of meeting different people. At WCHS, she is a Gifted and Talented student, a member of the National Honor Society, the National Art Honor Society, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Beta, the Young Women Lead Teen Council, the Academic Team, Commander Cross Country, and is a Springfield-Washington County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador. She is the daughter of Nick and Gigi Lyons.

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WCHS junior Cassandra Lyons. (Photo, Washington County Schools)

Baker said she applied for GSP to learn independence and experience college life. At WCHS, she is a member of the Commanderette Softball team, Beta, Future Farmers of America (FFA), the Environmental Club, the National Honor Society, is a Gifted and Talented student, and is a member of 4-H. She is the daughter of Tara and Jody Baker.

WCHS junior Ashtyn Baker. (Photo, Washington County Schools)

Jones said she had heard great things about GSP and thinks it will benefit her academic future. At WCHS, she is a Gifted and Talented student, a member of FCCLA, National Honor Society, DECA, is on the yearbook team, is involved with WCTV, St. Dominic Youth Group, the Washington County Distinguished Young Woman program. She is also a Springfield-Washington County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador. She is the daughter of Jana and Jonathan Jones.

WCHS junior Ashton Jones. (Photo, Washington County Schools)

McCain said she had also heard great things about GSP and “loves a challenge”. She is a member of the Commanderette Volleyball team, FFA, FCCLA, Youth for Christ, the National Honor Society, is involved with St. Dominic Youth Group, the Washington County DYW program, and is employed at Mattingly, Simms, Robinson & McCain, PLLC. She is also a Gifted and Talented student. She is the daughter of Michael and Nora McCain.

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WCHS junior Claire McCain. (Photo, Washington County Schools)

Gabhart said he applied to GSA because is passionate about musical theatre. Gabhart is a  Gifted and Talented student, and is also a student intern at Central Kentucky Theatre. He is the son of Sara Vasquez and Scotty Gabhart.

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WCHS sophomore Samuel Gabhart. (Photo, Washington County High School)

Mattingly says he applied to GSA because of the opportunity for study under professional musicians and the master classes offered for writing music and studying music theory. At WCHS, he is a Gifted and Talented student, and is also a member of the Commander Tennis team and a member of Commander Marching Band, where he plays the saxophone. He is involved in the Willisburg Christian Church Youth Group. He is the son of Kim and Joe Mattingly.

WCHS sophomore Will Mattingly. (Photo, Washington County Schools)

Taylor says she applied to GSE to help expand her knowledge of entrepreneurship, and also said her older sister participated and learned a lot from the program. She is a Gifted and Talented student, and is a member of the Commanderette Golf team, FFA, National Honor Society, Beta and Youth for Christ. She is also a co-owner of a small business, 2 Chicks’ Farm.

WCHS sophomore Lauren Taylor. (Photo, Washington County Schools)

Brothers said he applied GSE to improve his business. Brothers has owned Luke’s Local Pumpkins since he was in the 8th grade. At WCHS, he is a member of FFA, the National Art Honor Society, FCCLA, is also a member of 4-H, and currently serves as national chairman of the Children of the American Revolution. Additionally, he also works on his family farm, Plum Run Farms. He is the son of Tommy and Rebecca Brothers.

WCHS junior Lucas Brothers. (Photo, Washington County Schools)

“Once again, the students at WCHS have proven that they’re some of the best in the state,” says Allison Carney, who serves as Gifted and Talented coordinator for the district. “Their hard work and the dedication of the teachers and staff to continue challenging and guiding our students to excel, is clearly evident. In the last seven years as Gifted and Talented coordinator, this is the largest number of students to be selected for the Governor’s Scholar Program, Governor’s School for the Arts and Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs from Washington County High School. To say we are proud is an understatement. We are beyond proud of these distinguished students.”

“What a remarkable group of students!” says Charlie Cox, principal at WCHS. “I’m so excited that these Commanders will represent Washington County High School in these governor’s programs. Each of these students are so uniquely talented, it’s an honor to be their principal and to have them shine on the state stage.”