Guild dance students competing for Governor’s Honors program

Published 11:00 am Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Dalton High School sophomore Mary Sharp and Coahulla Creek High School sophomore Grace Shatz have been selected to move on to the next step in the statewide competition for an enviable slot in the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program as semifinalists.

Sharp, 15, has been dancing since she was 2, performing in annual recitals and performances at the Creative Arts Guild. Most recently she was double cast as the Fall Princess and the Spring Princess in the Guild’s annual “Snow Queen.” She has also performed in and choreographed for local musical theater productions. She plans to earn a dance degree in college and to continue choreographing.

Shatz, 16, has been dancing for nine years with the Guild. Performing in annual recitals and productions, she has also had significant roles in the “Snow Queen.” Most recently, she was seen in the role of the Summer Princess. She also does volunteer work with the local Humane Society and with her school, and performs and choreographs for local musical theater productions. She plans to dance in college and hopes to teach dance after graduating.

Both dancers have been semifinalists in the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix program.

About the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program

The Georgia Governor’s Honors Program is a residential summer program for skilled, knowledgeable and talented high school sophomores and juniors. The program offers instruction that is significantly different from the typical high school classroom and is designed to provide students with the academic, cultural and social enrichment necessary to become critical thinkers, innovators and leaders. Applicants must demonstrate high aptitude and interest in the area of their nomination. Experience can be determined based on schoolwork, standardized test scores or extracurricular activities outside of the typical classroom environment.

Selection criteria

Students who wish to be nominated to the Governor’s Honors Program must be nominated by a Georgia public school district, private school or a state charter school. Each public school district, private school and state charter has a dedicated program coordinator who manages the local selection process to determine the students nominated.

Homeschool students interested in being nominated should contact the public school system he/she is designated to attend to learn more about the selection process.