The Westfield School has nominated Elizabeth Bourque and Gehrig Broxton to attend this summer’s Governor’s Honors Program, a enrichment program at Valdosta State University.

About 3,000 students from across the state were interviewed for the program’s 600 finalist positions that will be announced later this spring.

Elizabeth, a sophomore with a 4.0 grade point average, was nominated in dance/ballet. As part of her application to Governor’s Honors, she performed a prepared solo, took several dance classes and interviewed.

Elizabeth has been taking dance classes for about 12 years, since she was 3 years old. She takes two- to three-hour classes six days a week.

Elizabeth has danced in the Midsummer Macon dance program and The Nutcracker of Middle Georgia. She also has participated in the Youth America Grand Prix semi-finals, which is the world’s largest student ballet scholarship competition. Her scores with her ensemble qualified her for the finals in New York City. In August 2012, she attended the Boston International Summer Intensive program where she danced with students from all over the world.

Her focus in her private dance lessons has been ballet, so Elizabeth said she was excited about the opportunity attending the Governor’s Honors Program could bring to her.

“Governor’s Honors will give me a chance to expand since I take ballet,” she said. “I would really like to improve in modern and jazz as well.”

Gehrig, a junior, was nominated in chemistry. He has a 4.0 GPA and is an honors student. He received awards in 2012 for having the highest GPA in Spanish, algebra II, chemistry, English, and he had the highest PSAT score in the sophomore class. He volunteers as a tutor, not only at Westfield but also with underprivileged children through a tutoring program at his church.

Gehrig is excited about the possibility of studying chemistry at Governor’s Honors because it combines his two favorite subjects, science and math. He plans on becoming a physician.

Along with his interview at Governor’s Honors, Gehrig had to analyze a data set then explain the science behind it to a panel of interviewers.

Gehrig, who plays baseball for Westfield and on a travel team, will have to miss at least one tournament this summer if he is selected to Governor’s Honors.

“This is worth it,” Gehrig said. It’s an “opportunity to attend Governor’s Honors and (have) a more in depth study of chemistry.”

Gehrig said the appeal of Governor’s Honors has come from the students he has talked to who have attended in the past.

“They all say it isn’t like school,” said Gehrig. “You do a lot of hands on experiences, a lot of projects and have the chance to solve a lot of problems.”

Contact Alline Kent at 396-2467 or allinekent@cox.net.