The North Carolina Governor’s School has selected 22 students from Buncombe County Schools to be part of its class of 2026, marking an exciting achievement for both the district and the students chosen. This prestigious summer residential program for gifted and talented students offers a unique opportunity to engage in specialized academic and arts courses.
Held each summer, the month-long program allows students to dive deeply into their areas of interest while fostering creativity, collaboration, and intellectual growth. Students are nominated by their schools and selected through a highly competitive process that recognizes both academic excellence and artistic talent.
This year, 22 students from Buncombe County Schools earned a spot in the program, including eight selected for the arts—highlighting the continued strength of the district’s commitment to both academics and creative expression. Across the state, invitations were extended to more than 1,800 students, with less than one percent of all North Carolina high school students earning state-level nominations for Governor’s School.
“I am so proud of these students,” said Leanne Luttrell, Buncombe County Schools AIG Specialist. “The Governor’s School coordinators in our high schools are amazing. There is a large amount of work that goes into helping students apply in the first semester. This spring, they delivered letters in person to students who were selected, and they will continue to help prepare our students as they plan to attend Governor’s School this summer. I am so thankful for their help.”
The Governor’s School experience provides students the opportunity to learn alongside peers from across North Carolina, explore new fields of study, and further develop their academic and artistic passions. As the class of 2026 prepares for this summer’s program, these students are set to embark on a transformative journey that will help shape their futures and inspire continued success.
A.C. Reynolds High School
Brooklyn Brown (Mathematics)
Lydia Coe (Dance)
Everlee Dwyer (Visual Art)
Joey Houser (Choral Music)
Jacob Leifheit (Instrumental Music)
Giselle Martinez-Hernandez (Choral Music)
Shayla Miles (Spanish)
Greta Schembri (Natural Science)
Jake Skibo (Social Science)
Anri Tsumura (Natural Science)
Ella Wilcox (Social Science)
Enka High School
Adilynn Newberry (Natural Science)
Anna Spainhour (Social Science)
Clayton Witsell (Theater)
Martin L, Nesbitt Jr. Discovery Academy
Sabrina Almaguer (Natural Science)
Etta Dezio (Natural Science)
Crystal Garcia-Hernandez (Spanish)
Sophia Nerenberg (English)
Sage Price (Choral Music)
North Buncombe High School
Stella Kiernan (Natural Science)
T.C. Roberson High School
Kaitlyn Byrd (Choral Music)
Maggie Pulver (Natural Science)