A sophomore at Southeast Bulloch High School was selected recently as Bulloch County's only representative in the Governor's Honors Program. Taylor Burroughs is one of 700 Georgia students that will participate in the six-week program being held this year at Valdosta State University.
    “I've never had a sophomore chosen before, so I am excited,” said Yvette Smith, head of SEB's Career Technical and Agriculture Education Department and an agriculture instructor. Burroughs was selected in the area of Agriscience/Environmental Science.
    The Governor's Honors Program is administered by the Georgia Department of Education. It is an instructional program for rising juniors and seniors in the state's public, private and home schools. Students are nominated in their particular area of aptitude by their teacher.
    While getting ready for the Honors Program interview in April, Burroughs wasn't sure how he would do.
    “Going into the interview, I had told myself I probably wouldn't be selected this year,” he said. “When I learned I had been selected, I thought to myself, 'Hey, I've done something that no one else has done.' How cool is that!”
    Burroughs has an avid interest in agriculture and the environment, and he has taken many courses in these areas, such as horticulture, landscape design and forestry, at SEB. 
    “He has spent many of his Saturdays with me at the Main Street Farmers Market selling greenhouse plants and twig planter benches, grown and made by our FFA chapter,” Smith said. “He goes above and beyond in anything he undertakes, and I am pleased he's received this recognition.”
    Burroughs also is a student athlete, playing football and baseball and he is active in FFA. He plans to attend the University of Georgia after he graduates, and he is currently considering a major in marine biology.
    His mom, Jo, is a paraprofessional at SEB Middle School, and his father, Henry, works for Georgia Pacific as a Millwright. Ryan, his older brother, is currently a student at Georgia Southern.
    He said he is an avid sportsmen and he goes hunting, fishing and camping with his father and brother whenever they get the chance. Burroughs said: “I've always liked being out of doors, and love learning new things about plants and animals.”