Special Events
Many special events occur nearly every year at Governor's School. Some of these events have been passed on from year to year, while others have just been initiated. Either way, the list that follows describes, in approximate chronological order, some of the highlights that have become cherished memories for all involved in Governor's School. Check out our photo gallery to see pictures of some of the events from this year.
Collapse all
| Expand all
Opening Ceremony
Humanities and Visual & Performing Arts students have their own separate ceremonies in Cannon Memorial Chapel. Faculty and staff are introduced, the director of state programs for the gifted speaks, and students and parents are prepared for the positive changes that Governor's School can cause in the lives of staff and students.
Dance Lecture Demo
Lorraine Graves, former regisseuse of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, conducts a week-long session with the Governor's School dance students. The conclusion of the week is a dance lecture demonstration for the rest of the program.
Dances
From the wacky to the wild, Governor's School themed dances over a welcome stress release from the daily grind. Past themes include Decades Dance, Masquerade Ball, Pajammy-Jammy Jam, International Evening, and a Governor's Ball. If you've never seen 450 students and staff dancing madly, you've missed one of the great wonders of the world.
Saturday Shares
Afternoon interdisciplinary courses pair into groups to creatively share with one another the lessons and skills discovered throughout the week. These sessions are entirely student-inspired and led, with instructors supervising in the background.
Weekend Forums
Enjoy a political debate, a stage combat workshop, a discussion on religion and spirituality, or an African Dance workshop. Forums give students an opportunity to participate in and benefit from large-group interaction and discussion with professionals, experts, and themselves.
Field Trips
Classes will take advantage of the myriad museums and other locations in and around Newport News by going on field trips.
Variety Shows & Faculty Showcase
Students and staff take this opportunity to showcase their serious or not-so-serious talents in an accepting and encouraging forum.
Evening Activities
Every summer, Governor's School tries to schedule various cultural, artistic, and intellectual events. The 2008 session brought to campus:
- the Ash Lawn Opera Festival,
- a staged reading,
- Dylan Pritchett,
- Ezibu Muntu,
- Fight the Big Bull,
- an animated short film festival,
- and more!
Teacher Recognition Day
Students nominate the one teacher whom they believe has had the most significant impact on their educational or artistic development. These teachers are invited to campus to spend a day with their students. The culminating activity is a dinner in the teachers' honor. Each teacher receives a presidential citation noting his or her selection by a Governor's School student. This day typically takes place on Friday during the second week.
Parents Day
Parents are encouraged to check their students out for the day. Those whose parents are unable to arrange for visitation get some much needed quiet rest and laundry time! This day falls on the Sunday halfway through the program.
Arts Student Recitals
Theatre, dance, music, and visual arts students showcase their talents in formal and informal public forums, typically showcasing works in progress.
Busch Gardens Day
Students and staff head to the park for the day. Park admission is included in the Student Activity Fee collected at the beginning of the program. Lunch and dinner, however, are in the park and on your own so be sure to save some cash!
Final Share
Students in their morning courses (Humanities and Visual & Performing Arts) present to the rest of the school the lessons and skills they have discovered throughout the month. These Share sessions take the last two full days of the program.
Closing Ceremony
Reserved for the summer’s participants, the Closing Ceremony celebrates the month and recognizes the community of learners that has been formed. A student speech committee delivers the keynote and representatives from the faculty and staff also speak to the impact of the program on their lives. The Closing Ceremony provides a capstone emotional experience for the students and staff, preparing students to return home and make a difference in their communities.
Collapse all
| Expand all
