FARGO – Area students are among 50 participants selected for the 2026 session of the North Dakota Governor’s School, hosted at North Dakota State University. Participants include scholars from 29 North Dakota high schools who have demonstrated exceptional talent, achievement and interest in STEM fields.

Area students and the program area in which they will be participating are: Abby Finke, Lewis and Clark Berthold HighSchool, technology; Ashley Carr, Minot North High School, engineering; Hub McDonnell, Watford City High School, engineering; and Stella Prebble, Minot North High School, science.

The Governor’s School is a four-week intensive academic program that provides high-achieving high school students the opportunity to live and learn alongside peers with similar academic interests and goals. The program focuses on research, collaboration, leadership and college-level coursework in STEM-related disciplines. Following a competitive application process that included academic achievements, personal essays and letters of recommendation, scholars were selected through a review process.

Throughout the program, students will engage in collaborative projects, independent research and hands-on learning experiences designed to strengthen their skills and expand their knowledge.

This year’s scholars will present their research on Wednesday, July 1, with a closing ceremony scheduled for Thursday, July 2, at 1 p.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom.

Since 1990, Governor’s School has provided learning opportunities to more than 1,200 scholars. The program is funded by state legislation through the 2023 Senate Bill 2200.