Giving up the option to play high school basketball may have been one of the hardest decisions I had to make in coming to The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science. Thankfully, it ended up being of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I have been able to play basketball more than ever.
At the Gatton Academy, during your enrollment, you are not allowed to play KHSAA sports, but this doesn’t mean you have to give up the sport completely. WKU intramural clubs offer a lot of options for sports that people play. These clubs allow you to compete in your sport of choosing and still receive that team experience that you would have had at your sending school.
Since my junior year, I have participated on Gatton’s intramural basketball team by the name of Florence Schneider Ball. Over these 2 years, I have had the ability to get closer with peers around me from Gatton while also playing the sport I love. Even in the games where we lost, it was still a great experience with my friends. The bond has been so strong that even when it is not during intramural season, we still organize to hoop with each other. During this most recent semester, our team made it to the semi-finals of the tournament! It was a close game that went to overtime, but we unfortunately lost by 1, 43-44. Even with the loss, I would do it again in a heartbeat.
As I said previously, even when it isn’t basketball season time, you are still able to play basketball at any time you please. On campus, there is the Raymond B. Preston Health & Activities Center where you can not only play basketball, but also enjoy the fitness center and classes, track, pool, and locker rooms. The center is open every day of the week and certain hours throughout the day, so you can attend any time you are able.
I strongly encourage participating in any club or intramural during your time here, whether it is basketball or not. You not only get enjoyment from the sport or club itself, but also friends that you can bond with outside of your leisure time. I have been able to meet some lifelong friends through the connection of just basketball, and it could be the same for anyone who decides to be a part of the community. I have felt at home, and while I may not be playing high school sports, I have felt as if my urge for it has still been fulfilled while being here. As they say, the possibilities are always endless.
A lot of students I know were active in their sending school’s clubs and activities, and one big hesitancy for possible Gatton students can be whether they can continue to participate in clubs and activities. Well, I’m here to lessen some of your worries with a list of some of my favorite clubs and student organizations at Gatton (in no particular order)!
For reference, Gatton has over thirty clubs and student organizations with more to come, as any student can create their own club if it doesn’t already exist! The only difference between a club and a student organization is that a club is staff sponsored and a student organization is entirely student-led.
In addition, as Gatton students, we are also WKU students. So, we can join any organization on WKU. I’ve gone to a few AASA (Asian American Student Association) meetings. A few people I know are also a part of WKU’s Fencing Club, so you’ll find at least one club that intrigues you! Anyways, onto my list:
Student Y
This club participates in the KYA (Kentucky Youth Assembly) and KUNA (Kentucky United Nations Assembly) state conferences. KYA discusses issues in Kentucky and allows students to debate on bills that other students present. In addition, they have their own Media Corp, Supreme Court, Cabinet, and Lobbyists that all dive into the state’s government. KUNA discusses international issues, with each school representing a country and its views. Students will debate on resolutions that other students present. Similarly, they have their own special programs such as Media Corp, International Court of Justice, Security Council, Secretariat, and Non-Governmental Organization Representative that explore different aspects of international government. Both conferences also give students the opportunity to run as candidates to be heads of next year’s conference!
I have been a part of Student Y since sixth grade and joining Gatton’s delegation has been one of my favorite opportunities. Not only has it allowed me to continue my Y-journey, but it’s given me another group of amazing friends to work with.
International Club
This club explores different countries across the globe! They often have a fun informational presentation about the country’s history and traditions but fear not! You aren’t just listening to a presentation. They often cook that country’s cuisine for you to eat and have a fun activity involving that country’s culture to participate in! Sometimes it’s been a fun game of 1, 2, 3 Pescao (Puerto Rico), third player chase (Austria), Sapo (Peru), or making hanboks (South Korea). On top of it all, if there’s a country you really want to talk about, you can present it!
I’ve been a part of this club for the last two years. I’ve sincerely enjoyed every presentation and learning about all of the countries. We had a lot of laughs, good food, and played fun games. If you enjoy the Bowling Green International Festival, which hosts booths for dozens of different countries, I really think you’ll love this.
Paint Club
It’s exactly what the name sounds like, you paint. Much of the time is spent on freestyle painting on canvas. A lot of students take this club as a time to relax and wind down after a day of classes, and it can be much more than just typical acrylic paint. As one of the current presidents of Paint Club, I have never once painted on a canvas during my club hours. Instead, I often have my iPad and Apple Pencil out working on a digital painting! Other students have also brought in converse, rocks, or anything with a surface to paint. Notably, you do not have to be ‘good’ at art to join this club! We welcome all levels of art (but I’m going to think all of you are excellent artists no matter what).
I’ve only been heavily involved in Paint Club for one year, but already it’s been a lot of fun. We have a lot of great conversations while we relax and seeing everyone’s creations is always exciting!
Science Minded Kids
This club was just founded this year by Oliver Ghrist. He used to teach elementary students about science concepts with cool experiments (like the layers of the earth as layers of pudding), and he’s brought the idea here to Gatton! Members of the club often develop lesson plans or ideas on how to simplify scientific concepts or jobs for the students.
My involvement with this club has been limited, due to my own busy schedule, but every time I’ve gone it’s been a treat. It’s amazing to show kids science at a young age and get them excited! If you enjoy volunteering at the Center for Gifted Studies Super Saturdays, you’ll love this too.
Film Club
The activity is in the name! We watch movies that we voted on earlier in the week. The movie genres often vary, from horror to comedy, or anything in between. The best part of Film Club is bringing in your friends (and maybe some popcorn) to have a relaxing night after classes.
Whenever I can, I make sure to drop in. It can especially help to have a comedy movie after a stressful day or to watch my friends (and me) jump at horror movies.
Computer Science (CS) Club
CS Club is insanely helpful, especially for a junior’s first semester. Often, the club offers tutoring in Java—the language learned in the mandatory CS180 class. Advice from CS Club can also extend to the CPS (Computational Problem Solving) course, which is the mandatory CS/Math class for a junior’s second semester. Beyond tutoring, CS Club also participates in competitive coding. These competitions are not mandatory, but they are an option!
I’ve only attended a few meetings, but I’ve enjoyed their help!
There you have it! Those are some of my favorite clubs at Gatton. However, since I am only one person, I wanted to throw in a few other honorable mentions from other students:
It’s no secret that attending Gatton can lead to an increase in stressors. We leave home 2 years early, move in with 200 fellow students we may have never met, take challenging classes, set our own schedules, and develop new life skills.
You might be thinking “Wow, Addie. This sounds really hard! What if I can’t handle it all?” I’ll be honest: it is hard. However, Gatton is full of resources to help students adjust to life and manage the stress that follows.
Tips for Managing Stress:
Talk to a friend. Because every student at Gatton must fulfill the STEM curriculum, we often end up taking classes with our friends (or peers who turn into friends over the duration of a class). We can study together, support each other after a difficult test, and encourage each other throughout the semester. This makes our friends a great place to turn to if we are dealing with stress!
Take a break. Sometimes I get so stressed that I think I need to work for hours with no break. However, this is one of the worst things I can do for myself! It’s scientifically proven that studying is more effective if done at intervals with breaks in between. A great strategy to de-stress is taking a break. Maybe this means reading a book, listening to some music, or getting some food. Even 10 minutes can make a difference.
Make an appointment with Pokey or Jamie. Pokey and Jamie are Gatton’s licensed therapists. Even better, they work in our building and are fully aware of the goings-on at Gatton and all that being a student here entails. Maybe you have experience with therapy or maybe it sounds a little scary. Either way, most Gatton students meet with one of our therapists during their time here. There’s no issue, big or small, that they aren’t willing to help students with.
Get active! Physical activity is one of the best ways to manage stress. You can get out some excess energy and get a rush of endorphins all in one. Whether this looks like a trip to the gym or a walk around campus, exercise is guaranteed to reduce stress. And hey, it has physical health benefits, too!
Talk to your RC. Residential Counselors or “RCs” are a great place to turn for advice! Maybe you’re dealing with homesickness or arguing with your roommate. Whatever it is, they’ve probably dealt with it before and can provide some helpful advice.
Take a nap. It may sound silly, but a nap can solve a lot of your problems. I’ll admit, even though I try to get consistent sleep, I sometimes fail to get a full 8 hours. Being tired makes it harder to pay attention to lectures, do homework, and regulate emotions. If you find yourself too tired to do homework or a little too irritable to be around people, take a quick nap!
As always, every person is different, meaning every student deals with stress in different ways. I encourage you to find what works for you and consider some of these healthy coping strategies when you find yourself getting anxious or stressed. Remember: you aren’t alone here, and there are plenty of people willing to help if you are willing to ask.
One of the challenges of coming to Gatton is staying connected with your family. Every student is different, with different attitudes toward how much they want to communicate with their family. For me, staying close to them was a huge priority.
I was born into a big family, having three older siblings. As I got older, that family grew, and I now have three younger siblings as well. I attribute everything about myself to my family, as they have shaped me into the person I am today.
TIPS FOR STAYING CLOSE TO YOUR FAMILY:
Get comfortable sharing about yourself! Whether you see your family in person or are on a phone call with them, you will get the classic, “What have you been up to?” question. Don’t shy away from it! Your family wants to hear from you!
Have the tough conversation(s) with your family. The easiest grounds for frustration come from a lack of communication on how much you want to communicate. Your parents may have their own expectations for communication that may not line up with yours.
Remember the big things…. Your family members will be so touched if you remember birthdays and anniversaries, so be sure to reach out at these times. Bonus points for grandparents.
…and ask about the small things! One of the hardest things about being away from your family is missing out on the small moments. While nothing replaces being with your family for these, make sure to ask about them, whether it be a younger sibling’s soccer game or the puzzle your dad is working on.
Set aside time for your family during closed weekends. Closed weekends are tough. Some Gatton students drive as many as 10 hours in one weekend to get home and back, while others live in Bowling Green. Either way, going home can be draining, so allow yourself a little bit of time to breathe, and then spend time with your family! The impulse is to spend time with our friends, and while that’s important, you’ll be with your family forever.
Be merciful with your younger siblings. There’s nothing like getting home after weeks of being in a new place and sleeping in your own bed for the first time only to be woken up by a five-year-old jumping on top of you. True story. Know that these moments where we find ourselves wanting to rip their heads off are moments to count to ten and smile because we have siblings that want to spend time with us.
Be active in the family group chat, and if you don’t have one, start one! Whether it’s talking about my brother’s garage band, my little sister stealing my mom’s phone to send emojis, or my dad complaining about large diet cokes no longer being $1 at McDonald’s, this group chat has been a huge source of small smiles throughout the day for me. It helps me feel connected to my family, and I know that my older siblings feel the same way.
Small phone calls! Gatton life can be busy, and sometimes it can be easier to take five minutes out of a few days each week to call your family members rather than a whole hour at once. Small phone calls can feel like passing conversations, which I love because it is almost like being back with your family. Walking to class is one of the perfect times to do this.
My older siblings were all able to come home for Labor Day and we got coffee with Gran!My mom and sisters visited me while I completed my RIG in Steubenville, Ohio!My brother, Paul, and I had the same spring break last year, so we went to Atlanta to visit our older sister, Annie, and her husband, Ryan! Ryan is studying to be a chiropractor, and he can be seen here adjusting Paul!My family for Christmas 2021! It was such a blessing to have everyone in town!
[fblike] The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky is pleased to announce its Preview Days for Fall 2012 and Winter 2013. Middle and high school students and their families are invited to attend Preview Days to tour Schneider Hall, speak with Gatton Academy students, their parents, and staff while experiencing life within the Gatton Academy community. The followings days are scheduled Preview Days:
The students in this year’s class span 37 counties from across the Commonwealth. This gifted group of high school sophomores brings with them to the Gatton Academy an average ACT score over 10 points higher than the statewide average for graduating seniors.
Last fall, 280 students began the admissions process with 175 students qualifying for review. Students were reviewed based on ACT/SAT scores, high school grades, awards, extracurricular activities, responses to essay questions, and letters of recommendation. Last month, 95 candidates were invited for interviews with Academy staff members and representatives from across Kentucky. In the end, 50 dynamic applicants emerged from the review process.
Tim Gott, director of the Gatton Academy, expects these students to continue the level of academic and personal engagement Academy students have demonstrated over the last five years.
“With our sixth recruited class, we continue to see the unmatched depth of ability and passion of students from across the Commonwealth,” Gott said. “These students demonstrate, once again, that the Commonwealth can compete globally in producing young women and men who will have a major impact in STEM fields.”
The selected students scored an average composite of 30.02 on the ACT and 29.8 on the math portion of the exam. The highest possible score is 36. The 2010 state average ACT score for graduating Kentucky high school seniors was a composite of 19.6.
“The strength of the members of the Gatton Academy’s Class of 2014 is a testament to the good work of educators and schools across the state,” said Corey Alderdice, the Academy’s assistant director for admissions and public relations. “We look forward to the opportunity to now partner with those districts to continue to meet the educational, social, and emotional needs of these high-ability students. Their experiences will be the flagstone in these young people’s pursuit to lead Kentucky in the 21st century.”
The incoming class includes students from the following counties: Bath, Boone, Boyle, Breckinridge, Bullitt, Calloway, Campbell, Christian, Clark, Crittenden, Daviess, Fayette, Fleming, Gallatin, Greenup, Hancock, Hardin, Henderson, Jefferson, Jessamine, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lincoln, Lyon, McCracken, Morgan, Nelson, Oldham, Pendleton, Perry, Pike, Trigg, Warren, Wayne, Webster, and Wolfe.
This year, four counties had students admitted to the Gatton Academy for the first time: Gallatin, Knott, Perry, and Morgan. To date, the Gatton Academy has admitted students from 107 of Kentucky’s 120 counties.
The goals of the Gatton Academy are 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 finish their junior and senior years of high school living in Schneider Hall and taking courses offered by WKU. At the end of their two-year course of study, they will graduate from high school and have earned at least 60 college credit hours.
The Academy provides a rich living/learning environment designed specifically for academically talented adolescent students that features clubs, organizations, and community service. Additionally students are able to participate in advanced research with WKU faculty members. Research conducted during students’ time at the Gatton Academy has been honored in the nationally competitive Siemens Competition, Intel Science Talent Search, Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program, and the Department of Defense Science, Math, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship Program. Three-out-of-every-four Gatton Academy students also participate in a study abroad or global learning experience in locations such as Costa Rica, Italy, Greece, England, China, or Morocco.
The Gatton Academy is Kentucky’s only state-supported, residential program for high school students with interests in advanced science and math careers and one of fifteen such programs in the nation. In 2011, Newsweek magazine ranked the Gatton Academy as one of the nation’s top five public high schools.
Students selected for the Gatton Academy Class of 2014 are available after the jump.
Events will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Snell Hall on the WKU campus. Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. in the building lobby with sessions kicking off at 10 a.m. in Snell Hall, room 2113. Activities for the day will also include campus and residence hall tours as well as parent and student question-and-answer panels.
Preview Weekends present a unique opportunity for prospective applicants and their families to meet with Gatton Academy students and their parents, visit the Gatton Academy’s location in Schneider Hall, and gain a better understanding of student life at the Gatton Academy. Topics will include the role of the ACT and SAT in the admissions process, research experiences, global learning opportunities, and qualities of a strong applicant.
Parking will be available in the Chestnut Street North parking lot. Click here for a WKU parking map.
The Gatton Academy is a residential program for 120 high school juniors and seniors from Kentucky who have demonstrated talent and interest in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Students apply during their sophomore year through a competitive admissions process. To date, students from 103 counties across the Commonwealth have been selected to attend the prestigious program.
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 that will lead to economic growth. Housing, tuition and meals are funded by the Commonwealth at no cost to students or their family.
Instead of spending their junior and senior years in traditional high schools, Gatton Academy students take courses offered by WKU. At the end of two years, students earn more than 60 hours of college credit in addition to completing high school. Students live and learn with peers who share their enthusiasm and interest in learning.
In 2011, Newsweek magazine ranked The Gatton Academy fifth nationally among all public high schools part of their annual “America’s Best High Schools” listing.
The students in this year’s class span 46 counties from across the Commonwealth. This gifted group of high school sophomores brings with them to the Gatton Academy an average ACT score almost 10 points higher than the statewide average for graduating seniors.
Last fall, 280 students began the admissions process with 171 students qualifying for review. Students were reviewed based on ACT/SAT scores, high school grades, awards, extracurricular activities, responses to essay questions, and letters of recommendation. Earlier this month, 102 candidates were invited for interviews with Academy staff members and representatives from across Kentucky. In the end, 73 dynamic applicants emerged from the review process.
Tim Gott, director of the Gatton Academy, expects these students to continue the level of academic and personal engagement Academy students have demonstrated over the last four years.
“With our fifth recruited class, we continue to see the depth of ability and passion of students from across the state,” Gott said. “This cohort demonstrates, once again, that the Commonwealth can compete globally in producing young men and women who will have a major impact in STEM fields.”
The selected students scored an average composite of 28.9 on the ACT and 28.7 on the math portion of the exam. The highest possible score is 36. The 2010 state average ACT score for graduating Kentucky high school seniors was a composite of 19.0.
“The members of the Gatton Academy’s Class of 2013 have demonstrated they are ready for a greater academic challenge,” said Corey Alderdice, the Academy assistant director for admissions and public relations. “They will bring to WKU a variety of passions and abilities. Our goal will be to sharpen those skills as they grow and mature both academically and socially. Their experiences will be the flagstone in their pursuit to lead Kentucky in the 21st century.”
The incoming class includes students from the following counties: Barren, Boone, Bourbon, Boyle, Breckenridge, Bullitt, Butler, Carroll, Carter, Christian, Cumberland, Daviess, Elliott, Estill, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Greenup, Hardin, Hart, Henderson, Hopkins, Jefferson, Jessamine, Kenton, Lincoln, Logan, Marion, Mason, McCracken, Meade, Menifee, Montgomery, Muhlenberg, Nelson, Nicholas, Oldham, Rockcastle, Shelby, Simpson, Spencer, Taylor, Todd, Union, Warren, Wolfe.
The Gatton Academy has now admitted students from 103 counties.
This year, eight counties had students admitted to the Gatton Academy for the first time: Breckinridge, Elliott, Floyd, Mason, Meade, Menifee, Nicholas and Wolfe. To date, the Gatton Academy has admitted students from 103 of Kentucky’s 120 counties.
The goals of the Gatton Academy are 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 finish their junior and senior years of high school living in Schneider Hall and taking courses offered by WKU. At the end of their two-year course of study, they will graduate from high school and have earned at least 60 college credit hours.
The Academy provides a rich living/learning environment designed specifically for academically talented adolescent students that features clubs, organizations and community service. Additionally students are able to participate in advanced research with WKU faculty members. Research conducted during students’ time at the Gatton Academy has been honored in the nationally competitive Siemens Competition, Intel Science Talent Search, Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program, and the Department of Defense Science, Math, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship Program.
The Gatton Academy is Kentucky’s only state-supported, residential program for high school students with interests in advanced science and math careers and one of sixteen such programs in the nation. In 2010, Newsweek magazine honored the Academy as one of 20 “Public Elite” American high schools.
Students selected for the Gatton Academy Class of 2013
From Barren County: Victoria Cain, a student at Barren County High School whose parents are Tonya Cain and Douglas Cain.
From Boone County: Akhil Ghanta, a student at Boone County High School whose parents are Uma and Koteswara Ghanta; Leonard Ivey, a student at Larry A. Ryle High School whose parents are Jeana and Eugene Ivey; Hannah Pennington, a student at Conner High School whose parents are Jo Anne and Gregory Pennington; Cheyenne Ullrey, a student at Walton Verona High School whose parents are David and Jennifer Hurta and Baird Ullrey; Paige Volpenhein, a student at Boone County High School whose parents are Kelly and Andrew Volpenhein.
From Bourbon County: Erica Plummer, a student at Bourbon County High School whose parents are Elizabeth and Mark Plummer.
From Boyle County: Cecily Allen, a student at Danville High School whose parents are Susan and Mark Allen; Nicholas Fedorka, a student at Boyle County High School whose parents are Suzanne and Thomas Fedorka; Mary Spraggs, a student at Danville High School whose parents are Linda and Richard Spraggs.
From Breckinridge County: William Hawley, a student at Frederick Fraize High School whose parents are Lisa and William Hawley Jr.
From Bullitt County: Erica Johnson, a student at North Bullitt High School whose parents are Sheila and Nathan Johnson; Justin Johnson, a student at North Bullitt High School whose parents are Karen and Robert Johnson.
From Butler County: Alonna Ballinger, a student at Butler County High School whose parents are Denise and Thomas Ballinger.
From Carroll County: Linda Cruz, a student at Carroll County High School whose parents are Luz Maria Cruz and Guillermo Tepetate.
From Carter County: John Anthony Biechele-Speziale, a student at East Carter County High School whose parents are Sherri Speziale and Jennifer Biechele.
From Christian County: Tyler Powell, a student at Christian County High School whose parents are Melissa and Donald Powell; Kathleen Bell, a home school student whose parents are Annette and David Bell.
From Cumberland County: Gabriel Smith, a student at Cumberland County High School whose parents are Fran and Greg Smith.
From Daviess County: Dixa Patel, a student at Daviess County High School whose parents are Jyotsana and Harish Patel; Madison Preece, a student at Daviess County High School whose parents are Denise and Kevin Preece.
From Elliott County: Barry Blair, a student at Elliott County High School whose parents are Melanie and Barry Blair.
From Estill County: Natascha Richardson, a student at Estill County High School whose parents are Antje and Carlos Ray Richardson II; Matthew Ruffner, a student at Madison Southern High School whose parents are Gwen Heffner and Robert Ruffner.
From Fayette County: Samuel Dong, a student at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School whose parents are Lin Qiong Fan and Mao Fei Dong; Lauren Shields, a student at Tates Creek High School whose parents are Stacy and Anthony Shields; Ethan Smith, a student at Tates Creek High School whose parents are Trish and Mike Smith; Alexandra Sunnenberg, a student at Henry Clay High School whose parent is Janet Sunnenberg.
From Floyd County: Wade Vierheller, a student at Piarist School whose parents are Chenzhao and Thomas Vierheller.
From Franklin County: Garrett Barnes, a student at Franklin County High School whose parents are Anita and Rodney Barnes; Sibi Rajendran, a student at Franklin County High School whose parents are Preetha and Narayanan Rajendran.
From Greenup County: Catherine Sloas, a student at East Carter County High School whose parents are Kitty and Larry Sloas; Henry Uradu, a student at Russell High School whose parents are Rose Uradu and Onyemauche Opara.
From Hardin County: Katherine Corcoran, a student at Bethlehem High School whose parents are Donna Wilson and Thomas Corcoran; Nathaniel Serpico, a student at Elizabethtown High School whose parents Pam and Ralph Serpico.
From Hart County: Riley Askins, a student at Hart County High School whose parents are Deborah Flint and Wayne Askins; Leslie Wilson, a student at Hart County High School whose parents are Patricia and Paul Wilson.
From Henderson County: Ellen Green, a student at Henderson County Senior High School whose parents are Michelle and Todd Green; Alison Jones, a student at Henderson County Senior High School whose parent is Dana Jones.
From Hopkins County: Roxanne Coburn, a student at Hopkins County Central High School whose parents are Lesley and Charles Coburn Jr.; Chiraag Kapadia, a student at Madisonville North Hopkins High School whose parents are Maya and Deepak Kapadia.
From Jefferson County: Lindsey Burke, a student at Louisville Male High School whose parents are Deborah and William Burke.
From Jessamine County: Noah Dixon, a student at West Jessamine High School whose parents are Karen and Charles Dixon.
From Kenton County: Miranda Cruse, a student at Simon Kenton High School whose parents are Penny and Brian Cruse.
From Lincoln County: Meghan Hall, a student at Lincoln County High School whose parent is Becky Eubanks.
From Logan County: Charvinia Detton Kesi Amira Neblett, a student at Russellville High School whose parents are Marvinia Jetton Benton-Neblett and Charles Delbert Neblett.
From Marion County: Anna Hamilton, a student at Bardstown High School whose parents are Mary and Charles Hamilton Jr.
From Mason County: Duncan Wood, a student at Mason County High School whose parents are Patricia and Stockton Wood.
From McCracken County: Eileen Doan, a student at Lone Oak High School whose parent is Minh Doan; Emily Gordon, a student at Lone Oak High School whose parents are Gina Gordon and Kenneth Gordon.
From Meade County: Leah Cannady, a student at Meade County High School whose parents are Leona and Jeff Cannady; Meaghan Dunn, a student at Meade County High School whose parents are Anita and James Dunn.
From Menifee County: William Roach-Barrette, a student at Menifee County High School whose parents are Rebecca Roach and Randy Barrette.
From Montgomery County: Wayne Schmitt, a student at Montgomery County High School whose parents are Donna Cockrell and Hermann Schmitt.
From Muhlenberg County: David Brown, a student at Muhlenberg County High School whose parents are Paula and Gregory Brown.
From Nelson County: Miranda Parrish, a student at Bardstown High School whose parents are Ramona and Charles Parrish.
From Nicholas County: Lara Johanna van der Heiden, a student at Nicholas County High School whose parents are Kim and Arie van der Heiden.
From Oldham County: Richard Cockerell, a student at Trinity High School whose parents are Susan and Tray Cockerell; Thomas Seibold, a student at South Oldham High School whose parents are Kay and Dave Seibold.
From Shelby County: Matthew Gonazelz, a student at Rockcastle County High School whose parents are Wanda and Stephen Burdine.
From Shelby County: Samuel Saarinen, a student at Shelby County High School whose parents are Anne and Timothy Saarinen.
From Simpson County: Jeet Parekh, a student at Franklin-Simpson High School whose parents are Varsha and Ambarish Parekh.
From Spencer County: Adrian Gregory, a student at Spencer County High School whose parents are Amy and Ronald Gregory.
From Taylor County: Jonathan Bailey, a student at Taylor County High School whose parents are Vicky and Charles Bailey.
From Todd County: William Johnson III, a student at Heritage Christian Academy whose parents are Delinda and William Ejner Johnson Jr.; Melissa Smith, a student at Todd County Central High School whose parents are Rita and James Smith.
From Union County: Elizabeth Gatten, a student at Union County High School whose parents are Meg and Donald Gatten.
From Wolfe County: Mamie Caldwell, a student at Wolfe County High School whose parents are Paula and Omer Caldwell.
From Warren County: Meredith Doughty, a student at Greenwood High School whose parents are Valerie Lyons and Robert Doughty; Ryan Gott, a student at Bowling Green High School whose parents are Ellen and Tim Gott; Eva Gray-Jennings, a student at Bowling Green High School whose parents are Judith Gray and Brian Jennings; Alec Minnicks, a student at Warren Central High School whose parents are Janice and Chris Minnicks; Aaron Tagliaboschi, a student at Bowling Green High School whose parents are Jennifer and Louis Tagliaboschi.
For more information, contact Corey Alderdice at (270) 745-2971 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting(270) 745-2971end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
Representatives of the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky at WKU will conduct a series informational meetings for high school students and their parents as well as interested community members across the state this fall.
Students may RSVP to attend the sessions online at http://gattonacademy.eventbrite.com.
The Gatton Academy is a residential program for 120 high school juniors and seniors from Kentucky who have demonstrated talent and interest in pursuing advanced careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. To date, the Gatton Academy has admitted students from 95 counties across the Commonwealth.
Students apply during their sophomore year through a competitive admissions process.
Instead of spending their junior and senior years in traditional high schools, students take courses offered by WKU. At the end of two years, students graduate high school in addition to having earned at least 60 college credit hours. Housing, tuition, and meals are provided at no cost to ensure this opportunity is available to all qualifying students.
The goal of the Gatton Academy is to enable Kentucky’s exceptional young scientists and mathematicians to learn in an environment which offers advanced educational opportunities, preparing them for leadership roles in Kentucky.
For more information, contact Corey Alderdice at (270) 745-6565.
Highland Heights/Northern Kentucky (RSVP Online to Attend)
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
6:30 p.m. (EST)
Student Union, Room 104
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY 41099 Campus Map and Driving Directions (external link)
Hopkinsville (RSVP Online to Attend)
Thursday, October 7, 2010
6:00 p.m. (CDT)
Pennyrile Rural Electric Cooperative Community Room
2000 Harrison St.
Hopkinsville, KY 42241
London (RSVP Online to Attend)
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
6:00 p.m. (EST)
South Laurel High School Library
201 South Laurel Road
London, KY 40744
Paducah (RSVP Online to Attend)
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
6:00 p.m. (CDT)
McCracken County Board of Education
Building 7 Training Room
435 Berger Road
Paducah, KY 42003
Morehead (RSVP Online to Attend)
Thursday, October 21, 2010
6:00 p.m. (EST)
Doran University Center, Room 301
Morehead State University
150 University Blvd.
Morehead, KY 40351 Link to Campus Map (external link)
Ashland (RSVP Online to Attend)
Monday, October 25, 2010
6:30 p.m. (EST)
Teleconference Room, Ashland Community and Technical College
1400 College Dr.
Ashland, KY 41101
Mount Washington/Bullitt County (RSVP Online to Attend)
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
6:30 p.m. (EST)
Bullitt East High School Library
11450 Highway 44 East
Mt. Washington, KY 40047
Somerset (RSVP Online to Attend)
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
6:30 p.m. (EST)
Pulaski County High School Auditorium
511 University Dr.
Somerset, KY 42503
Mayfield (RSVP Online to Attend)
Thursday, October 28, 2010
6:00 p.m. (CDT)
Graves County High School Library
1107 Housman St.
Mayfield, KY 42066
Prestonsburg (RSVP Online to Attend)
Monday, November 1, 2010
6:00 p.m. (EST)
East Kentucky Science Center
Big Sandy Community and Technical College
7 Bert Combs Dr.
Prestonsburg, KY 41653
Hazard (RSVP Online to Attend)
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
6:00 p.m. (EST)
Meeting Room, Guest House Inn 192 Corporate Drive Hazard, KY 41701
Like a good chess match, the admissions game for the Class of 2013 is afoot.
by Corey Alderdice, Assistant Director for Admissions and Public Relations
Activity is picking back up here in Schneider Hall as the full staff returns this morning for the start of a new year. Things are also picking up in the admissions office (read: my office) as well. Every year we seem to get a little faster with our work of admitting the next group of students. Even though the Class of 2012 has yet to arrive on campus, I’m excited to officially announce the availability of the admissions application for the Gatton Academy Class of 2013!
Step-by-step instructions for applying are available via the Admissions page of the Gatton Academy website. The page will walk you through each part of the admissions application and process. For the moment, though, I’d like to call your attention to five updates and changes for the Class of 2013.
1. The deadline for submission of all admissions materials is February 1, 2011.
With an earlier start this year, we have decided to roll the calendar back two weeks for the admissions deadline. The new deadline will provide our admissions committee with the necessary time to devote to each student’s application. Notifications for the interview phase will still be sent by email no later than March 1, 2011.
2. We have revised our policy to allow students with a minimum ACT-Math score of 22 or SAT-Math score of 520 to apply.
The average ACT-Math and Composite scores for incoming students at the Gatton Academy remains 29. Our research shows that 26 is a competitive score that greatly increases the likelihood of a student’s success in the program. However, we have also witnessed students with scores between 22 and 24 be highly successful in the program. The difference is the commitment and work ethic these students possess. Because many students will be in the midst of Algebra II when taking this ACT later this year, we certainly want to account for that with our minimum test score.
3. Essay question four is brand new.
I’m most excited about this change. The University of Chicago is famous for the questions on their “Uncommon App.” What’s great about their questions is that it provides students with an opportunity to be creative, think outside the box, and write on something beyond very traditional admissions questions. We think question four provides a variety of opportunities for exploration while allowing the admissions comittee to see students’ thought processes in a very different way. Check out the question below.
The Center for Disease Control has reported a zombie outbreak with a confirmed Patient Zero in the city of Bowling Green, Kentucky. From the position of Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, base commander at Fort Knox, or Chief of Medicine at the Bowling Green Medical Center, develop an immediate action plan to deal with the outbreak.
4. We’ve added an optional “Video Essay” to the application.
Maturity, personality, and individuality are traits that are common among all Gatton Academy students. Grades, essays, and letters of recommendation do not always demonstrate the level of creativity, ingenuity, and talent among our student body. In order to better appreciate applicants as individuals, candidates are invited to submit a video of no more than two minutes in length for the Admissions Committee to review. Videos may be either edited or unedited. For students who do not have access to the technology to do this, we will have stations set up on Interview Day. We hope that you’ll really wow us with your entries.
5. Students now must submit a minimum of two and no more than four letters of recommendation.
Over the last few years, we’ve realized the most fruitful information comes from the letters of recommendation from your math or science teacher as well the counselor, principal, or community leader. Acquiring these letters of recommendation can often be a challenge for sophomores as they have yet to establish a connection a rapport with a variety of teachers. With that in mind, students only must submit the two required letters, though you have the opportunity to provide us with up to two more letters from the persons of your choice.
Excited? We sure are!
Don’t forget to RSVP to attend a Preview Weekend this fall on campus. Preview Weekends are great opportunity to get to know the students, parents, and staff who truly make the Gatton Academy an “Atypical High School.” We’ll also conduct a series of Information Sessions throughout the state later this fall. We’ll share more details as those dates become available.
Until then, feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about the admissions process or the Gatton Academy!
