The Governor’s Scholars Program has announced the inaugural class of American Electric Power Foundation Scholars. From the 2011 class of Governor’s Scholars, 25 scholars were selected.

The AEP Foundation Scholars are sponsored through a $100,000 commitment to the GSP — $50,000 for 2011 and $50,000 for 2012.

The objective of the AEP Foundation Scholars, through the financial assistance of the American Electric Power Foundation, is to support and then recognize 25 Governor’s Scholars for 2011 and 2012 from the 20 counties that comprise AEP’s service region. These talented scholars are among east Kentucky’s finest and they are becoming the educators, physicians, scientists, business leaders, and other professionals, as well as the civic leadership for the region.

The 25 scholars selected for 2011 are:

• Andrea Mae Akers, Harold

• Joshua Shane Akers, Wheelwright

• Kyle McKenzie Allen, Oil Springs

• Taryn Elizabeth Cantrell, Pikeville

• Beau Ryder Davis, Hazard

• Divya D. Desai, Hazard

• Olivia Brooklyn Ellis, Van Lear

• Andi Alexandria Fields, Hazard

• Kami Elizabeth Griffith, Jackson

• Shelly Gupta, Russell

• Swathi N. Gutti, Pikeville

• Sarah Corilda Hay, Louisa

• Dillon Clay Jones, Hager Hill

• Michael Ross Kelly, Jenkins

• Dakota Lance Lester, Canada

• Bailey Lee Lucas, Vanceburg

• Lauren Rebecca Phelps, Ashland

• Kelsey Nicole Potter, Worthington

• Cara Cassady Preece, Lovely

• Hannah Taylor Smith, Manchester

• Shayna Danielle Smith, Ezel

• Patrick Keegan Taft, Ashland

• Kameron D. Shane Vance, Pine Top

• Josie Marie Whelan, Louisa

• Kalin Leanna Wilson, Olive Hill

The Governor’s Scholars Program is a stimulating, non-traditional, five-week residential program for outstanding Kentucky students from across the state, who have completed their junior year in high school. The mission of the GSP is to identify and nurture Kentucky’s next generation of civic and economic leadership. Established in 1983, the focus of the GSP is not limited to enhancing intellectual development, but also upon the students’ potential to have an impact at the local, state, national and global levels. The educational experience of the GSP is truly unique in its nature and visibly impacts its scholars and the Commonwealth.

Funded by a combination of public/state and private monies, the program is cost free to the scholars. The Governor and Legislature and hundreds of corporations, foundations, business and civic leaders and organizations, alumni scholars, parents and friends contribute annually to make this vital program available and effective.

The American Electric Power Foundation was created in 2005 to support American Electric Power’s goal of “supporting and playing an active role in the communities where we live and work.” AEP’s mission is “bringing comfort to their customers, supporting business and commerce, and building strong communities.” American Electric Power, with more than 5 million American customers, is one of the country’s largest investor owned utilities, serving in 11 states. Kentucky Power, one of AEP’s regional utilities, serves 20 counties in east Kentucky.