The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science has selected 101 Kentucky sophomores for the Class of 2023, including a Grayson County High School student.
“We are excited to welcome outstanding students from all across the commonwealth to The Gatton Academy’s Class of 2023. These students have not let the pandemic stop them from pursuing advanced educational opportunities in STEM fields,” said Dr. Lynette Breedlove, Director the Gatton Academy. “These talented students have been supported by devoted educators in schools throughout Kentucky, who helped the students explore their strengths and set lofty goals.”
Applicants were evaluated based on ACT/SAT scores, high school grades, awards, extracurricular activities, responses to essay and short answer questions, and letters of recommendation. In addition to these criteria, candidates were invited to interview with Western Kentucky University faculty members, community leaders from across the commonwealth, and Gatton Academy alumni.
Students from 48 counties represent the Class of 2023, including Grayson County High School student Katie Dudgeon, of Falls of Rough.
The goal of The Gatton Academy is to enable Kentucky’s exceptional young scientists and mathematicians to learn in an environment that offers advanced educational opportunities, preparing them for leadership roles in Kentucky. Moreover, The Gatton Academy assists in preparing Kentucky to compete in a knowledge-based economy by increasing the number of scientists and engineers who live and work in the state.
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.
The Gatton Academy is Kentucky’s first state-supported, two-year residential program for high school students with interests in advanced science and math careers and is one of only 15 such programs in the nation.
Other nearby students selected for The Gatton Academy’s Class of 2023:
(Students are organized by county of residence, with their sending school in parenthesis.)
Breckinridge County
- Caden Lucas (Breckinridge County High School) – Jeffery and Susan Lucas of Harned
Edmonson County
- Brody Johnson (Edmonson County High School) – Brad and Jodi Johnson of Bee Spring
- Amber Williams (Edmonson County High School) – Kevin Williams and Deborah Tarpey-Williams of Mammoth Cave
Grayson
- Katie Dudgeon (Grayson County High School) – Christopher and Jennifer Dudgeon of Falls of Rough
Hancock
- Xavier Simpson (Hancock County High School) – Eric and Holly Simpson of Hawesville
Hardin
- Hadley Jones (Central Hardin High School) – Heather and Ted Jones of Upton
- Diego Moreno (Elizabethtown High School) – Laurel Tabaka and Ricardo Moreno of Elizabethtown
- Gabriel Nowaskie (Bardstown High School) – Tim and Lisa Nowaskie of Elizabethtown
- Jonathon Reilly (Central Hardin High School) – Kevin and Ann Marie Reilly of Elizabethtown
- Ellen Sego (Central Hardin High School) – Ben and Patricia Sego of Elizabethtown
Hart
- Kenyan Wood (Caverna High School) – Betty Wood of Horse Cave
Ohio
- Logan Littleton (Ohio County High School) – Terry and Lisa Littleton of Utica
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
