The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science at Western Kentucky University has selected 98 students from across Kentucky to attend the prestigious class, and some of them are local.
According to a news release, Applicants were evaluated based on ACT/SAT scores, high school grades, awards and accomplishments, extracurricular activities, responses to essay and short answer questions, and recommendation forms. In addition to these criteria, candidates were invited to interview with WKU faculty members, community leaders from across the Commonwealth, and Gatton Academy alumni.
Selected from Christian County are Addison Robertson of University Heights Academy and Sophie Sandifer of Christian County High School, and then Kat Tellez from Trigg County High School was selected to represent Trigg County.
From Hopkins County, River McDurmon and Sabrina Wang will represent Madisonville-North Hopkins High School, while Lydia Vincent will represent Hopkins County Central High School out of Hopkins County.
From Caldwell County, it’s Landon Cunningham and Elijah Thomas, both from Caldwell County High School, and Garrett Lambert will represent Muhlenberg County High School.
The mission of The Gatton Academy is to provide a residential program on the campus of Western Kentucky University for bright, highly motivated Kentucky high school students who have demonstrated interests in pursuing advanced careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Students will complete their junior and senior years of high school living in Florence Schneider Hall. At the end of their two-year course of study, students will graduate from high school with a minimum of 60 college credit hours and an Associate Degree of Interdisciplinary Studies from Western Kentucky University.