RELEASED: July 10, 2003

DANVILLE, KY—Centre biology major Lucy Lee Wachs, a junior from Pikeville, Ky., knows that being away from home for the first time can be tough. Summer of 2000, she didn't want to come to the Governor's Scholar Program at Centre.

"My mom forced me to apply and my parents left me on the sidewalk (at GSP hosted by Centre) crying; but within an hour I didn't want to leave," Wachs said.

Three years later Wachs is back at GSP, this time as a residence assistant.

"I loved this program and wanted to see what it was like from a different standpoint," she said.

Wachs is the RA on the second floor of Cheek Hall. Her girls call themselves the "Sweet Cheeks," and have bonded with each other and with Wachs. Wachs' sister, Ginny, is a GSP participant at Centre.

Wachs sees herself as a role model, a friend and an ear when the students need someone to listen as they express their feelings and thoughts.

"Academic enrichment is not popular with some high school students, but here these kids are surrounded by others who are the same as they are and are challenged to pursue talents," she said.

While at GSP, Wachs was challenged to pursue her interest in biology. Her teacher, Stephanie Dew [associate professor of biology at Centre], told her a lot about Centre's biology program. Those conversations, along with her experience as a scholar, influenced her decision to attend Centre.

"When I came here as a scholar, I fell in love with the campus," Wachs said. "I felt like after five weeks there was no other choice for me."

After Centre, Wachs plans to attend medical school. She would like to see these GSP students and future participants, "take part in as many activities are you can, take in the whole experience."

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