Decade-long trend continues for LCPS with five students heading to Governor’s School
In less than two weeks, five young women from three LCPS high schools will sharpen their focus on their favorite academic subjects this summer while attending the highly selective North Carolina Governor’s School.
Chosen in competition for spots in the four-week program were Taylor Benton of North Lenoir High School, Abby Whaley of South Lenoir High School and Lily Paulk, Freya Panganiban and Le’Treza Garner, all of Lenoir County Early College High School.
“These young women are such excellent representatives of Lenoir County Public Schools,” Dr. Amy Jones, LCPS’s former director of high school education, said. “We are so proud of their selection.”
Governor’s School is a summer residential program for academically or intellectually gifted high school students that offers instruction in 10 areas of academic or artistic emphasis, as well as a broader curriculum that integrates these areas.
It is the oldest program of its kind in the nation. Its two campuses – West at Greensboro College in Greensboro and East at Meredith College in Raleigh – together accept about 800 students, mostly rising seniors, from the more than 1,800 nominations received. This year, Governor’s School runs from June 21 to July 18.
Students win admission after being nominated by their schools and compiling an application package that includes grades and test scores, teacher recommendations and essays that shed some light on their personal and academic interests. Students applying in the areas of art, choral music, dance, instrumental music and theater auditioned earlier this year.
In the past 10 years, LCPS has sent 35 students to Governor’s School. This summer’s attendees, along with their field of study, are:
Taylor Benton, who will be studying natural science this summer. “I chose this field due to my love of the environment. I felt like this program would give me a broader understanding of the Earth along with how the living organisms on it exist and function,” she said. The daughter of Kimberly and Kevin Benton of Kinston, she has served as vice president of North Lenoir’s Honor Society, vice president of the Math Club and president of the Battle of the Books team. She was also appointed a page to the N.C. House of Representatives. She is an award-winning participant in DECA, the student group focusing on marketing and business management, advancing to the state finals in Integrated Marking Campaign competition and placing third in regional competition in Sports and Entertainment Marketing.
Le’Treza Garner, who will be studying social science. “I chose this area because I love understanding people. In my academic years, I've come to learn that history and human psychology go hand in hand. My favorite thing about social science is deliberating how we as a society can use past, present and possible future outcomes to learn more about different lived experiences,” she said. The daughter of LeTeia Garner and Clarence Lee, she was a delegate for two years to the state’s Youth Legislative Assembly, serving on the Environment and Health & Human Services committees. She has also served as co-leader of Early College’s Mock Trial team and has been a member for two years.
Freya Mari Panganiban, who will be studying natural science. “I chose to apply for the natural science field because I have always been curious about scientific topics such as how different organisms interact or how different substances are changed. I especially enjoyed my chemistry and biology classes this year, and I am excited to learn more in depth about all the science subtopics at Governor’s School,” she said. The daughter of Maricel Panganiban and Patrick Fegan of Kinston, she is a Principal’s List student at Early College and a President’s List student at Lenoir Community College, having earned a number of academic awards, including the Phoenix/Lancer Scholar Award. She is active on the Battle of the Books team and yearbook staff and has served as a volunteer at the Jump$tart Teen Teach-In, the Lenoir County Fair and elsewhere. She was chosen as a marshal at Early College’s recent commencement.
Lily Paulk, who will be studying mathematics. “Math has always been my favorite subject and I thoroughly enjoy learning new concepts and skills,” she said. The daughter of Denise and Blake Paulk of Grifton, she has been involved in many school activities, including Fellowship of Christian Students, Battle of the Books, Science Olympiad, B.L.A.S.T Christian Club, Mock Trial Team, Stock Market Game Challenge, NCCEE Economics Challenge, 30+ ACT Club and NCCEE Personal Finance Challenge. A long-time student of dance, she competed in scholarship pageants in 2025 and this year and earned runner-up honors and was named Miss Congeniality in both. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, an academic honor society, and as a freshman at Early College she earned a perfect score on the state’s Math 3 end-of-grade standardized test.
Abby Whaley, who will be studying mathematics. “I chose this area of study because my teachers at South Lenoir as well as Woodington Middle School helped to strengthen my skills and grow confidence in this subject. Governor’s School will help me to understand the real-world application of mathematics rather than just seeing it as a required course, something that I think all students should understand,” she said. The daughter of Jean and David Whaley of Albertson, Abby competes on her school’s Science Olympiad team, its varsity golf team and the Quill writing team. She is a member of the school’s National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society and has served as a member of the Student Council Association and Sisterhood in Service.
All five students will attend the Meredith College session.
Namelines:
Taylor Benton
Abby Whaley
Lily Paulk
Freya Mari Panganiban
Le’Treza Garner
