Five Nansemond-Suffolk Academy students have been selected to participate in the 2009 Summer Residential Governor’s School Program. The students were notified of their selection last week.

Virginia Governor’s Schools provide gifted high school students with intensive educational experiences in visual and performing arts, science and technology, life science and medicine, humanities, mathematics and mentorship programs in both marine science and engineering.

Each Summer Residential Governor’s School focuses on one special area of interest. Students live on a college or university campus for up to five weeks and immerse themselves in classroom and laboratory work. In addition to seminars and workshops with noted scholars, visiting artists and other professionals, students take part in field studies, research projects and individual and group performances.

In the two mentorship programs, students work side-by-side with research scientists, physicians, and a variety of other professionals. Students also participate in a rich mixture of extra-curricular activities including speakers, concerts, recreation trips and dorm life.

The NSA students who were selected for this year’s Governor’s School are:

Yousra Aboulatta, Governor’s Foreign Language Academy: Arabic Language

Gary Kafer, Summer Residential Governor’s School for Visual Arts

Kristina Mitchell, Governor’s Foreign Language Academy: Chinese Language

Elizabeth Scott, Summer Residential Governor’s School for Theatre

Meera Venkataramen, Summer Residential Governor’s School for Instrumental Music

The Governor’s Program began in 1973, when Gov. Linwood Holton established the first summer residential programs for 400 gifted students from across the commonwealth.

From its beginnings, the program has expanded to more than 40 sites throughout Virginia and serves more than 7,500 gifted students.