When Carroll County High School junior Jewleena Taylor opened the envelope with her acceptance into the Governor’s Scholars Program, she was surrounded by friends trying on dresses for prom. She handed the letter to her friends with trembling hands. “You have to open this for me,” she told them, overwhelmed. They gave it back to her and encouraged her to open the important correspondence.
Inside was a letter from Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear—Jewleena had been accepted into one of the most competitive academic enrichment programs in the state.
“I was checking my mail religiously every time the mailman came,” she said with a laugh.
Each year, around 2,000 students apply for the Governor’s Scholars Program (GSP), but only about half are accepted. The five-week residential program allows rising seniors to live and study on a Kentucky college campus during the summer, exploring topics that may or may not relate to their future careers. For Jewleena, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime—and one she nearly didn’t know existed.
“I didn’t even know it was a thing until they sent me the invitation in the mail,” she said. “At first, I was confused. But after going to the info session, I thought, this actually sounds really cool.”
Carroll County Schools Superintendent Casey Jaynes and high school administrators extended their congratulations to Jewleena. “This is a prime example of what it means to empower integrity and engage community as she will be with several students from across the Commonwealth,” Jaynes said.
Applicants must submit transcripts, essays, and two recommendations—one from a teacher and another from a community member. For Jewleena, those roles were filled by English teacher Anthony Henderson and longtime family friend, Rev. Dr. Chris White, who has known her since she was 7 years old through Big Brothers Big Sisters.
“Mr. White texted me after I got in and said, ‘I’m so proud of you, it’s a real game changer,’” Jewleena said. “It really meant a lot.” She noted that White was a “big” to her two older brothers, but he and his family always have included her and her siblings as well.
A 3.5 GPA is required for consideration, but Jewleena’s academic commitment far exceeds minimum requirements. While she admits math is her toughest subject, she has always excelled in English and reading.
“By fifth grade, I was already reading at a college level,” she said. “I’ve always had books scattered all over my room.”
Despite challenges at home that could have taken her down a darker path, Jewleena made a conscious decision to focus on her future. “I’ve seen what I don’t want for my life,” she said. “And I knew the way to avoid that was to do good in school. Good grades, a good college, a good job—that’s always been my plan.”
Jewleena experienced a life-changing tragedy her freshman year of high school when her brother, DJ, took his own life. DJ left letters for his family, including one encouraging Jewleena to continue doing well in school and graduate high school. “My brother’s letter became a source of motivation. I set academic goals and worked tirelessly to achieve them, knowing that he believed in my potential,” she wrote in her GSP application.
Her vision has been clear for years. By the time she entered high school, Jewleena had already set a goal to take college classes through Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC) by her junior year. She’s now enrolled in a range of courses including biology, anatomy, English, math, and history—juggling them along with band, a pre-nursing class at the Area Technology Center, and a part-time job at Culver’s in Madison. She is also a pre-nursing student at the Carroll County Area Technology Center.
For her GSP focus area, Jewleena listed creative writing, dramatic expression, and psychology. Students will be assigned their area later this month. She’s particularly interested in the psychology program and the idea of visiting mental health facilities, inspired by conversations with a teacher whose daughter previously attended the program.
“Even though I want to be a nurse, I think it’ll be valuable,” she said. “They said the subject doesn’t have to match your future major—it’s about exploring what you’re interested in.”
Outside of academics, Jewleena is deeply involved in school life. She’s a dedicated clarinet player in both marching and symphonic band. “It’s hard, but I love it,” she said. “Mr. Allen’s rule is, if you play it right once, you have to play it right two more times or you start over. I practice a lot at home so I don’t get called out.”
She’s also participated in school plays, academic team, gymnastics, and cheerleading in earlier years.
“I think I work best under pressure,” she said. “Band, school, work—it’s a lot. But I like it.”
As she awaits her campus placement—either Murray State, Centre College, or Morehead State—Jewleena is ready for GSP to begin. “I’m excited to live on my own, to be around new people, and just take in the experience,” she said.