Biographies
Our editorial board member, Morgan David, attends duPont Manual High School in Louisville, Kentucky. Alongside her journalism focus at school, she plays lacrosse and runs cross country. Morgan has always had a passion for telling stories and growing her skillset, and “wants to tell the stories that go untold.” Through working towards the documentation of GSP, she is excited to try new things and meet new people along the way.
by Olivia Stevens Emma Kiernan of Mercer County is a photographer and videographer for the Centre Central staff. Kiernan’s interest for journalism derives from her passion for photography. In her spare time Kiernan enjoys playing soccer and making youtube videos. Kiernan is excited to work for the CC and document everyone's unique ideas: “Everyone here has unique ideas, so I am excited to help provide a place where we can document our memories.”
by Morgan David BG: What school do you attend?
KF: Central Hardin High School. BG: What activities are you involved in at your High School? KF: Football, Baseball, Y Club, and BETA Club. BG: What hobbies do you enjoy? KF: Lifting weights, hunting, fishing, playing cornhole, and listening to music. BG: What is your favorite food? KF: A 20 piece Honey BBQ boneless wing combo from Buffalo Wild Wings. BG: What is your favorite genre of music? KF: Rap/Hip-Hop. BG: Who is your favorite musical artist? KF: Kendrick Lamar or Kodak Black. BG: What is your favorite tv show? KF: The Office. BG; How has your GSP experience been so far? KF: I have enjoyed the activities and I have become good friends with several scholars. BG: What would be your dream car? KF: An old school Chevrolet Silverado. BG: Apple Music or Spotify? KF: Spotify. BG: What baseball bat do you use in a game? KF: 2019 Louisville Slugger META Prime. by Ben Gloyd Marcus Shelton is a 17-year-old editor of The Centre Central. When asked to describe his life in five words, he answered, “Oh man, that went poorly.” His preferred genre of music is rap, and his favorite artist is Denzel Curry. His favorite person in the whole world is his nephew. When asked the profound question, “What keeps you going?” he simply answered, “caffeine.” He described his GSP experience thus far as “action packed” but also expressed concern over burnout.
by Savannah Dowell Savannah Dowell is a 16-year-old editor for The Centre Central. She loves reading (specifically The Alchemist), history, gardening, and her dog, Poopie. When asked her favorite artist, she responded, “Indigo De Souza.” Savannah plans to attend college somewhere in-state or possibly Mount Holyoke in Massachusetts. When asked the most important question, whether she liked tea or coffee, she claimed she could not possibly choose because of her “obsession with peppermint tea” and caffeine.
by Marcus Shelton |
Olivia Stevens is a writer for the Centre Central. She attends Ryle High School where she plays on the soccer team. She became interested in journalism while watching the character, Rory, from Gilmore Girls pursue the topic. Stevens is excited to document her experiences and memories from GSP over the next five weeks. Stevens has prior experience in photography and videography as she frequently makes videos with her friends.
by Emma Kiernan Name: Benjamin Douglas Gloyd
School: Mayfield High Sports: Baseball and Football Free time/hobbies: Working out, avid music listener, watch YouTube, and hang out with the boys. Favorite School Subject: History Favorite Color: Blue and Gray Favorite Console Game: UFC 3 Favorite MMA Fighter: “Suga” Sean O’Malley Favorite Gym Lift: Flat Barbell Bench Press Favorite Artist: Travis Scott Favorite Song as of now: Love is Dro by Jack Harlow Dream Car: Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon Relationship Status: Single If you are deserted on an island, what three items are you bringing: Bow and Arrow, Cannon, and a Harpoon. Game Glove for Baseball: Carlos Correa A2000 Game Bat for Baseball: 2019 Louisville Slugger Select 917 and a 2021 Demarini One Piece Voodoo. Snapchat- b_gloyd23 by Kaden Fergerson Michael Ryan, one of our staff for the Centre Central, is 16 years old and attends Marion County High School in Marion County. Some of you may wonder how he can be so young? Well, the short answer is he was able to skip a grade, making him the youngest in his grade. He is very active in his school's community and is a part of 5 clubs and organizations which include Beta club, Student Council and TSA (Technology Student Association). Michael Ryan is undecided in what he wants his career path to be but has interest in law and pharmaceuticals. Although he does not participate in sports at his school, in his free time he plays football and soccer with his friends back home. Michael Ryan’s general studies is poetic justice and his favorite subjects include law and engineering. He has one younger sister and lastly, he has 2 dogs and 1 cat.
by Olivia Patterson Olivia is 17 years old from Louisville, KY and goes to Butler Traditional High School. Her extracurriculars in school include Kentucky Youth Assembly, Kentucky United Nations Assembly, and she works for the school newspaper and the yearbook. She doesn’t play any sports right now but she really likes photography as a hobby. Her General Studies class is “Humans at GSP” which she enjoys. She chose journalism as her focus area because she has done some in school and she enjoys photography and reporting. She has two siblings as well as two dogs and her favorite classes in school are math and biology. She used to play many different sports like volleyball, softball, soccer, and cross country. She is undecided on her career choice, but thinks she might want to be a travel nurse with minors in finance. She is enjoying her experience at GSP so far and can’t wait to meet more people. A very interesting fact about her is that she is also a published author.
by Michael Ryan Masterson |
Exit Interviews
When asked about the most pivotal moment of GSP, Olivia stated the first day when Hayley held up the journalism sign and the group met for the first time. It was there that Olivia met the friends that she would get to know throughout the rest of the program. She added that “all of the anxious feelings and doubts about GSP went away.”
Olivia’s favorite moment of GSP was the first dance in the warehouse on July 3rd. Everyone worked together to get each other ready for the festivities that day, so excitement spread quickly when the dance was announced that night. She loved dancing with her fellow scholars during “Dancing Queen” and “Sweet Caroline." She felt that for the first time in over a year, things were truly normal. The past few weeks have been filled with fun memories, but there have been a few bad times. Olivia’s least favorite moment was getting sick week three. However, her week was made when a nice scholar bought some medicine for her at CVS. Olivia simply stated “shoutout to Trevor” when asked to comment on this story. Olivia feels that GSP has been one of the best experiences of her life. She has learned to stop underestimating herself and her abilities. She has become the most authentic version of herself here and she has learned to appreciate all the little moments that make GSP the life-changing experience that it is. by Emma Kiernan BG: What has been your most memorable event at GSP?
KF: The wiffle ball tournament during the first week. BG: What has been the best meal at Cowan? KF: The lemon pepper chicken wings. BG: What have you learned? KF: I have learned how to write better informational articles in focus area. BG: What has been your favorite hobby at GSP? KF: Going to the gym or throwing cornhole. BG: Have you ever felt homesick? KF: No. BG: Who is your favorite RA? KF: Aaron Rodgers. BG: What’s the best spot to hangout on campus? KF: The new quad. by Ben Gloyd Towards the end of week 4, Savannah Dowell was interviewed with some new questions. When asked what her favorite activity at GSP was, she answered that she loved painting with friends. Her favorite movie in the classic film series was Lady Bird. When asked what she would change about GSP, she said, “unban roller skates.” Savannah explained that she was glad she picked journalism as her focus area because of the insight it gave her into what she wants to do during college. Finally, she said the first thing she’s going to do when she gets home is pet her dog, Poopie.
by Marcus Dowell GSP. A once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget. I've met some of my closest friends and I couldn't imagine it any other way. Everyone asks me to describe it but honestly I can’t. There is nothing I could ever regret about this experience but if I had to pick then I would have done more. More clubs, activities, etc. For any incoming scholars that ever see this be open. Meet new people. Use any excuse to dive into a friendship that could last a lifetime. GSP was everything everyone said it would be and more; greater than anyone could have ever put into words. I wish everyone could go with me but I know that we will always be connected through this experience. One thing I would never think I enjoyed is not having my phone. One the first day they said one day you will understand why; they couldn't have been more right. The forced conversations have been one of my favorite parts of GSP. Connection and community at its finest.
by Olivia Patterson So far, my GSP experience has been unbelieveable. If I had to describe it I would say it’s indescribably amazing but words will never be able to capture everything it's been for me. I've learned so many things that will forever change me as a person; like being more inclusive, not caring what other people think, and that it's possible to discuss sensitive and controversial topics without it turning into a fight. I have had the opportunity to try many new things such as swing dancing, chess, and various other activities. One piece of advice that I hope the next class of scholars could hear is, “Don’t question if you fit in because you do and you were chosen to be here for a reason. Don’t compare yourself to everyone else because you were good enough to get here and fit in just like them.” I hope that I can and will always keep in touch with some of the lifetime friends I've met here because they have changed my life for the better. I would 100% recommend GSP but I also know that it's not for everyone. Time flies, don’t take it for granted.
by Michael Ryan Masterson |
In Marcus' time at GSP, the most impactful thing he learned is "how to make a friendship bracelet." Marcus has been studying weather for his general studies class, but he still doesn't have a favorite cloud type. Because GSP is usually a journey of self discovery, he was asked how he had grown since the start of the program. He responded, "about an inch or two". As the end of GSP approaches, he believes that he won't have altered relationships with the people in his life at home (except for more poker nights), and he plans to continue some of the relationships he has formed here.
by Savannah Dowell KF: Between Focus Area, General Studies, or Seminar, which one has been your favorite?
BG: Focus Area. KF: What have been some of your favorite hobbies? BG: Gym and Cornhole. KF: What is one change you could make for your GSP experience ? BG: More field trips. KF: What are some of the friends you have made life long relationships with? BG: Parker Crews, Kaden Fergerson, Bryce Imel, Cooper Crump, Kevin Garuccio, and Hewitt Lessenberry. KF: Who is your favorite RA? BG: Kellen. KF:What is one takeaway from GSP? BG: New bros to stay in touch with forever. KF: Least favorite Cafeteria food? BG: Tofu Tacos KF: One new thing you have picked up on? BG: Classic rock from General Studies. KF: Favorite outfit? BG: Hawaiian shirt and basketball shorts. KF: Funniest thing you have seen? BG: Hewitt not being present for his birthday celebration at the community meeting. KF: Future advice for future scholars? BG: When in doubt, just hang with your friends. by Kaden Fergerson After coming back from her Family Day, Morgan experienced a pivotal realization about how different the outside world is from GSP, which has shown her even more how amazing this community truly is. Morgan’s favorite GSP memory was going to Catholic mass alongside her friends and holding hands as they prayed together. She felt such a sense of community with friends in the bond of their shared faith.The best part of GSP for Morgan has been meeting people and finding her group, but also just being able to authentically be herself. She has felt genuine connections to others and says, “I already fit in the puzzle and don’t have to trim any pieces." Along with her GSP experience, Morgan has grown more confident as an individual and developed a stronger appreciation for the opportunities and blessings in her life.
by Olivia Stevens After a fulfilling five weeks at GSP, Kiernan has grown in all aspects. Through her time on the Centre Central, Kiernan has expanded her knowledge of photography and cinematography, with several hit videos: Wrong Answers Only and 40 Questions with… Outside of class, Kiernan now feels that she has a better understanding of herself.
“The people here have shown me that you can be accepted and be accepting by being yourself all the time.” In addition to self-discovery, Kiernan’s circle of friends has grown through GSP. Meaningful conversations and lifelong friendships in only five weeks has taught Kiernan that lifelong friendships can form quickly. by Morgan David |