Murray High School juniors Brooke Burgess, Maya Ruth Crittendon, Dwinata Marjadi, Kenzie Myers, and Miranda Ann Mathis (alternate) were selected from among 283 applicants from around the country to join Murray State University’s 2026 Commonwealth Honors Academy.

The Commonwealth Honors Academy is a prestigious three-week academic enrichment program held each June on Murray State University’s main campus in Murray, KY. CHA Scholars complete two honors-level college courses taught by outstanding educators, participate in personal development seminars, and enjoy lots of social activities to get a taste of college life. Graduates of CHA earn a 4-year in-state tuition scholarship to Murray State University and three transferable credit hours. Academy students are chosen based on a variety of qualities and accomplishments, including academic performance, maturity and character, leadership, writing ability, curricular strength, extracurricular activities, and overall potential. For more information, please visit the Academy website at www.murraystate.edu/CHA and find the program on Instagram and Facebook (@commonwealthhonorsacademy).

Burgess is the daughter of Jonathon and Shanna Burgess. Crittendon is the daughter of Terry Crittendon and Mayuraporn Crittendon. Marjadi is the son of Riza and Taminara Marjadi. Myers is the daughter of Beth and Johny Myers. Mathis is the daughter of Steve and Erin Mathis. #murrayschools

(photo from left) 2026 Murray High School Governor’s Scholars Program Recipients-Tyce Gibson, Owen Howell, Kenzie Myers, Adeline Pitman, Ava Grace Podrovitz, Joshua Sloan, Kalyn Stockdale, and Brodie Morris
Murray High School Students Selected for 2026 Governor’s Scholars Program

Murray High School juniors, Tyce Gibson, Owen Howell, Kenzie Myers, Adeline Pitman, Ava Grace Podrovitz, Joshua Sloan, Kalyn Stockdale, and Brodie Morris (alternate), are among the 1,020 Kentucky students selected as the 2026 Governor’s Scholars Program recipients.
The Governor’s Scholars Program is a competitive summer residential program for rising high school seniors across Kentucky. This year, a pool of 1,698 students applied. The Program’s mission is to enhance Kentucky’s next generation of civic and economic leaders. Students who are selected attend the Program without charge. In the spirit of partnership, the Office of the Governor, the Kentucky State Legislature, and private enterprise come together to provide financial support for the Program.
Murray High School was allowed to submit eight applications this year, and all eight students were accepted, with one as an alternate.
Participants will attend sessions hosted at Centre College, Morehead State University and Murray State University, where they will take part in academic coursework, seminars, and enrichment activities.
Program officials said the goal is to help develop the next generation of civic and economic leaders in Kentucky.
Gibson is the son of Trent and Ashley Gibson. Howell is the son of Jason and Renee Howell. Myers is the daughter of John and Beth Myers. Pitman is the daughter of Adam and Tiffany Pitman. Podrovitz is the daughter of Ryan and Beth Podrovitz. Sloan is the son of Bethany and Matthew Sloan. Stockdale is the daughter of Kristi Stockdale. Morris is the son of Micah and Abbie Morris.

Murray High School juniors Carolyn Madden and Owen Martin have been selected as Murray High School's 2026 United Space School representatives.

These two will represent the only U.S. high school for the twenty-third year in a row at the International Space School, a two-week space academic learning initiative in Houston’s Bay Area. Affiliated with NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, United Space School invites one U.S. high school, along with approximately 34 students from 28 other countries, to participate each summer. Martin and Madden will join students from Canada, Mexico, Chile, Bolivia, South Africa, Namibia, Italy, France, Germany, England, Russia, and India. While there, the participant’s daily activities involve working with civil and contractor aerospace professionals to provide needs-based instruction in topics relevant to designing a “Manned Mission to Mars." Divided into four teams, each team, designated by a colored uniform, is responsible for a specific, integrated portion of the Mission while attending the school.

#murrayschools

Murray Preschool Head Start students from the Whitten Center visited Pagliai’s as part of a nutrition education field trip.

While there, students watched the demonstrations involved in making pizzas, selecting healthy food choices, and participated in food nutrition games. Students met all the different employees who assisted in orders, baking, and servers. They were also introduced to the different types of dough used to make the pizzas, including Chicago and New York style.

This initiative is made possible through the $160,024 grant awarded from the Office of Head Start for Healthy Eating in Head Start Programs during the 2025-2026 school year. “The purpose of this funding is to develop and implement a Fresh Start Initiative across the eight counties that we serve and address healthy eating and food insecurities,” explained Cindy Graves, Director, Murray Head Start. “This initiative will address nutrition education and promote healthy eating for children, families and staff, and engage community partner agencies with our children and families.”

As a concluding event of the field trip, students ate pizza, and dessert pizza for lunch.