For Immediate Release
‍Contact:  NC Governor’s School Foundation
Lee Conner | 919-260-6165 | President
Email: cleeconner@hotmail.com

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Winston-Salem, N.C. – Leadership from the Governor’s School Foundation presented Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth) with the Legislative Champion Award Thursday for his dedication to protecting the program’s funding in the 2017-2019 state budget. The N.C. Governor’s School Foundation established the Legislative Champion Award as a way to acknowledge and appreciate the leaders in our state who help make Governor’s School possible, thereby providing a life-changing educational experience to many gifted students in our state.

“When the Governor’s School budget was threatened in the state legislature, Rep. Donny Lambeth fought tirelessly to protect the program’s funding,” said Lee Conner, president of the Governor's School Foundation Board of Directors. “Rep. Lambeth understands the value of investing in North Carolina’s brightest minds and preserving the nation's premier governor's school.”

During the 2017 state legislative session, the N.C. Senate proposed eliminating state funding for the Governor’s School. Rep. Lambeth successfully fought to preserve the school’s existing funding by securing $800,000 for the Governor’s School in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 state budgets.

“The Governor’s School has a long history in Forsyth County and is an important part of helping develop North Carolina’s most gifted students,” Rep. Lambeth said. “The Governor’s School is a bright spot in our education system and I am committed to ensuring its doors remain open for future generations of students.”

The Governor’s School of North Carolina is the oldest statewide summer residential program for academically or intellectually gifted high school students in the nation. The program opened its doors at Salem College in Winston-Salem in 1963. The Governor’s School is now located on two campuses of up to 325 students each: Governor's School West at Salem College in Winston-Salem and Governor's School East at Meredith College in Raleigh (begun in 1978).

The Governor's School is a five and one-half week summer residential program for intellectually gifted high school students, integrating academic disciplines, the arts, and unique courses on each of two campuses. The curriculum focuses on the exploration of the most recent ideas and concepts in each discipline, and does not involve credit, tests, or grades.

The North Carolina Governor’s School Foundation was incorporated in 1990 as a non-profit whose purpose is to support and preserve North Carolina's premier summer enrichment program. Learn more about the Foundation at www.ncgsfoundation.org, on Facebook at North Carolina Governor’s School Foundation, and on Twitter @ncgsfoundation.