Emma Lankford MRGS'21

Emma is a recent graduate of Massanutten Regional Governor's School, currently attending William & Mary. Emma's years at MRGS were slightly different due to the pandemic. Nevertheless, Emma explains how Gov School still influenced her interests and path, while reminiscing about the friendships made as well.

Post Graduation

"Since graduation, I have been at William & Mary. I am majoring in Integrative Conservation and Biology (double major). This summer, I will go to Mexico City to conduct botanical conservation research with a local community NGO."

Most Memorable Experience

"My most memorable gov school experience is definitely our water testing study. We traveled to several locations on the Shenandoah River as well as Smith Creek to collect and analyze water samples. Because this was at the beginning of my gov school experience, it gave me a chance to get to know new people and spend time with those from other high schools. The people that I worked with in that very first group ended up being my closest friends from MRGS, and I ended up focusing on water quality for research projects in both junior and senior year."

Gov School's Influence

"My experiences at gov school heavily influenced my choice in research topic while at MRGS. Going further, my internship this past summer was with the Friends of the Shenandoah River (FOSR). While working with FOSR, I worked on an E. coli monitoring project throughout the Shenandoah River watershed. I also frequently draw from project experience in all of my gov school classes when I work on assignments or research for my conservation classes, as the subject matter is closely related."

Friendships Through the "COVID year"

"I think, more than academics, the people that I met at gov school are truly what made the experience great. I found that I was able to connect and form relationships with my friends at MRGS very quickly and only having known them for a short period of time. Unfortunately, the time that I was able to build and foster these relationships was cut short, as I had only been getting to know the other MRGS students for a few months when we were sent home for COVID in the early spring of my junior year. It was out of everyone’s control, but I only wish I had had more time to spend with such a great group of people."