Dawson County High School student Grant Shope has been recognized as a finalist for the Georgia Governor's Honors program.

In the program, students compete for the opportunity to study in one of seven major areas: English, math, science, social studies, fine arts, agriculture or career technical education.

There were more than 2,800 students competing for about 700 spots this year.

Shope is a rising senior and will be participating in the area of social studies.

The Georgia Governor's Honors program is a four-week summer residential instructional program designed to provide intellectually gifted and artistically talented high school students challenging educational opportunities not available during the regular school year.

Activities are designed to provide each participant with opportunities to acquire skills, knowledge and attitudes to become independent, life-long learners.

The Georgia Governor's Honors program is fully funded by the Georgia General Assembly and operates at no cost to the participant.