Governor’s School provides unique, hands-on learning experiences with Radford faculty

Cat King can talk all day about the importance of music in her life.

To put it simply, “music is my life,” the rising high school junior emphatically claimed.

King was among the 340 high school students from around Virginia who attended the Governor’s School for Visual and Performing Arts and Humanities at Radford University in June and July. Gov School, as many of the students call it, is a three-week residential camp for rising high school juniors and seniors. It provides students with unique hands-on learning experiences through courses taught by Radford faculty.

“I’m learning so much technique stuff here,” said King, a percussionist from Gloucester, Virginia, who aspires to study music therapy once she gets to college. 

The therapeutic aspect of music is another reason why it is so important to King. “I have Tourette Syndrome. I’ve struggled with tics, and so music is what helped calm that down,” she said midway through the final week of Governor’s School. “So, I want to look into how music can treat other things. It’s so interesting. Music therapy is so cool.”

Working with Radford music professors for three weeks showed King just how impactful and therapeutic music can be, for those who are listening and those playing.

“This is the real world of music,” she said of working with Radford music faculty. “They’ve taught me so much, and these lessons are what I’m going to keep going back to.”

Throughout each weekday of Governor’s School, students participated in courses on a variety of topics. On the humanities side, some courses delved into advancing solutions to some of the world’s most difficult-to-solve problems, or wicked problems. Political Science Professor Tay Keong Tan, who is also the Radford Governor’s School director, led those courses. 

Each student in Tan’s course was assigned a wicked problems project. They presented their findings at a public showcase – much like Radford’s popular Wicked Festival – on the final Thursday of Governor’s School. 

Visual and performing arts students spent their days learning and training in music – vocal and instrumental – art, dance and theater. They displayed their talents – after hours of rehearsals – in the final week of the school with voice, dance and theater performances.

Students also had the opportunity to learn about a variety of topics from expert keynote speakers.

“From my past seven years’ association with the Governor’s School,” Tan said, “this is the best year in terms of the students’ engagement with academics and co-curricular activities and their irrepressible esprit de corps.”

On the weekends, students had opportunities to relax and participate in activities, making for a well-rounded time of enjoyable learning. Birthdays were celebrated, too, with a Sunday bash that featured a mechanical bull, dunk tank, games – including tossing inflatable axes – and, of course, cupcakes with red and white icing.

“Governor’s School has been really cool, and being in a college setting – living in a dorm and sharing a bathroom – has opened my eyes to what college is like,” said Chole Bernasconi, a rising high school senior from Fairfax County, Virginia, who enjoyed the Radford campus ambience, including the fireflies. 

“I’ve had a lot of interesting discussions with the professors and with other students about the interests we have and what we plan to do for the rest of our lives,” she continued. “Talking with professors and learning from them helps you to be more intentional in your education.”

In just three weeks, Governor’s School students gained valuable insight that aligned with their passions. Anthony Chu, a rising high school senior from Virginia Beach, Virginia, had engaging discussions with Assistant Professor of Marketing Luke Liska about a video game – League of Legends – they both play. “It evolved into a more serious discussion about the economics and marketing of esports,” Chu said, standing outside a classroom in the Artis Center. “It’s really cool to be able to connect with professors here at Radford on a personal level about fun and serious topics.”

On the serious side, Blake Updike went to Governor’s School – after a “nerve-wracking” online audition – in hopes of rejuvenating his love for playing cello. 

The rising high school junior has been playing for almost six years, but lately had entertained thoughts of quitting. His mother, however, encouraged Updike to try Governor’s School, where he could learn from Radford’s faculty experts.

It worked, he acknowledged with a smile while having lunch with his newfound friends in Dalton Hall. “Governor’s School has really invigorated my love for music and for cello. Being able to connect with my professors and like-minded people has been really cool and really fun.”

So many Governor’s School students came away with positive energy for their passions and for the university and its faculty. “Dr. Tan is the best teacher I’ve ever had,” said humanities student Thannesha Doshi, a rising high school senior from Virginia Beach. “All the professors here are very insightful.”

Art student Jay Kelleher gained a new perspective about how college professors connect with their students. “I thought they were going to be so mean and crack down on us,” she recalled with a laugh. “But everyone is so nice here, and they’ve done nothing but give me honest feedback that will continue to improve my art for years to come,” said the rising high school senior from Caroline County, Virginia. “They’ve given me a brand-new perspective on art.” 

 In the final days of Governor’s School, students were given a chance to apply to Radford University, and 105 did so at the Highlander application workshop.

“This has been such an amazing experience,” said King, who has Radford on her college wish list. “It’s given me the foundation for music for the rest of my life.”