Ryan Overby, Skylar Hargrove, Alec McClain, Matthew Woods, Ellie Williams, Wyatt Walker, Sydney Anderson, and Logan Elliott. Photo by Paul Schaumburg

Graves County High School sends eight juniors to participate in 2016 Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program

(photo by Paul Schaumburg, Graves County Schools) Pictured from left, are

Graves County High School recently was informed that eight members of its junior class have qualified to participate in the 2016 edition of the Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program. Each will spend several weeks this summer living on a university campus somewhere in the Commonwealth, learning through postsecondary courses and adjusting to university life.

Ryan Overby is the son of Stacy and Stephanie Overby. He joined his school's chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America and was chosen to participate in the Region I Fall Leadership Conference his freshmen year. He has been an active member ever since. He served as treasurer for two years and has placed in the business math, business applications, and mobile applications development regional and state competitions. He also placed first in the district Governor's Cup competition on the mathematics test for his school's academic team. Overby has played varsity baseball and golf throughout his high school career. He earned the "Eagle Award" for sacrifice and work ethic on the baseball team and the "Most Improved Award" and the "Talon Award" for leadership on the golf team. He belongs to the Seven Oaks church of Christ youth group and the Mayfield Mayor's Advisory Council. Overby is undecided as to where he will attend college, but plans to major in chemistry. He then foresees furthering his education in either pharmacy school or medical school.

Skylar Hargrove is the daughter of David and Tracy Hargrove. She has been designated as a Distinguished Advanced Placement Scholar. She was selected to participate in the summer study programs of both Stanford and Brown universities and is a Duke Talent Identification Program Scholar. She is a member and state competition winner in FBLA, scheduled to compete in nationals this summer. She will be the vice-president of her school's Beta Club chapter next school year and is a member of the Freshman Mentoring Program and of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She has played on the varsity girls soccer team since her freshman year. She also plays competitive soccer with West Kentucky United, Birmingham United and Kentucky Fire Juniors. Hargrove currently is undecided about her college choice but plans to major in pre-medicine in order to become a pediatrician or disease pathologist.

Alec McClain is the son of Clay and Shelina McClain. He serves as co-historian for his school's FBLA chapter and will serve his senior year as president of both the FBLA and Beta Club chapters at Graves High. At the FBLA State Leadership Conference this year, he placed second in the event of networking concepts and has qualified to attend and compete in the national conference this summer in Atlanta, Ga. He also is an active member of his school's cross country, track and field, and academic teams. Since his sophomore year, McClain has participated in the Governor's Cup competition. He enjoys running, building, reading, and helping others. He also volunteers his time to tutor students. Additionally, he enjoys listening to music and spending time with friends and family. He plans to pursue a college degree in pathology or biological research.

Matthew Woods is the son of Robert and Virginia Woods. He is captain of the academic team and a member of both the Agape and Beta clubs. He is considering attending the University of Kentucky College of Engineering-Paducah Campus to study mechanical engineering.

Ellie Williams is the daughter of Shane and Lauren Williams. She is a member of the Graves High marching band. She was recently selected to be drum major for the 2016-2017 season. Williams is a member of the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America chapter. She was nominated to serve as the FCCLA Region 1 first vice-president. She competed and won first place in the recycle and redesign STAR Events at the regional and state level in FCCLA. Williams is a member of the Future Educators Association. She also has participated in the district and regional Governor's Cup competition. She has taken classes through the West Kentucky Community and Technical College Academy. Williams is an Advanced Placement Scholar. She is a member of the Sutton Lane church of Christ where she teaches the nursery and preschool Bible classes. After high school, Williams plans to attend Western Kentucky University to pursue a degree in family and consumer sciences education.

Wyatt Walker is the son of Eric and Jennifer Walker. He is involved with the school's marching, pep, jazz and concert band programs as a percussionist. He has been selected as a member of both the Kentucky Music Educators Association All-District and All-Region Jazz Bands. Walker also is a member of the Graves High Leo Club. He has worked as a camp counselor with the Mayfield-Graves County YMCA summer program and plays drums in the Mayfield First United Methodist Church Praise Band.

Sydney Anderson is the daughter of Kenneth and Sherrie Anderson. She was selected as her school's representative for the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar. She serves as an officer in the Graves High FBLA chapter and qualified as a competitor in FBLA national competition this year. She earned first place at regional and state competition in the category of emerging business issues and placed second place in website design at regionals. Anderson is a past officer of her school's chapter of Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America. She is a runner on both the varsity track and cross country teams. She earned second place in the Mayfield Rotary Club Speech Contest and earned college hours through the West Kentucky Community and Technical College Dual Credit Program in conjunction with Graves High. Anderson is active in the Seven Oaks church of Christ youth group. She currently is undecided about her college plans, but is hoping to attend either Murray State University or Freed Hardeman University, majoring in speech pathology.

Logan Elliott is the son of Vanda Elliott and the late David Lytton Elliott. He has played on the Graves High basketball team for three years and the soccer team four years. He has been a member of FBLA and was recognized as a regional champion for mobile applications. Elliott went on to place fourth in statewide competition. He also has participated in the district and regional Governor's Cup competition in mathematics, placing first last year and second this year at the district level. He has been recognized the past two years as an All-Third District Academic Basketball Team member. Elliott has earned dual high school and college academic credit through a joint program between Graves High and West Kentucky Community and Technical College. He also was recognized as an Advanced Placement Scholar. He is an active member of the Farmington Baptist Church Youth Group. Elliott plans to attend the University of Kentucky to pursue a degree in the field of medicine.