KNOXVILLE — The Tennessee Governor's Academy for Mathematics and Science has named its inaugural class of 24 high school juniors.

The students, 12 young men and 12 young women, are the first selected to take part in the new academy, located in Knoxville and managed by the University of Tennessee. Chosen from nearly 200 applicants, the inaugural class represents the top students from throughout the state. The school opens on Aug. 19.

Members of the class come from 20 different counties across the state.

"All of these young people have distinguished themselves, even at this early stage in their lives," said TGA's executive director, Vena Long. "In the selection process, they showed not just talent, but passion for math and science."

TGA students will live and learn in two residential cottages on the campus of the Tennessee School for the Deaf in Knoxville. They also will travel to laboratories at UT and Oak Ridge National Laboratory to learn about and assist in research. They will take part in trips across the state to other critical scientific sites.

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