WKU News

Six Gatton Academy seniors recently learned they are candidates for the 2022 United States Presidential Scholars Program.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by Executive Order of the President, to recognize and honor some of the nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors.

The 2022 candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholar from The Gatton Academy are:

• Nikhil Akula (Western Hills High School), parents Praveena Adabala and Satish Akula from Frankfort.
• Harrison Gover (Bowling Green High School) parents Elizabeth and Dr. John Gover from Bowling Green.
• Aiden Kash (St. Francis School), parents Andrea and Phillip Kash from Louisville.
• Tommy Kolb (Louisville Classical Academy), parents Bridget and Christopher Kolb from Louisville.
• Andrew Park (South Oldham High School), parents Sam Park and Mihwa Lee from Crestwood.
• John Logan Stewart (Oldham County High School), parents John and Emily Stewart from LaGrange.

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars’ review committee selects honored scholars annually based on their academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities, in addition to the quality and content of their essays. 

Each year, more than 4,500 candidates are identified for the component of the program that focuses on academic achievement and based on having scored exceptionally well on the SAT or the ACT.  Eligible students are U.S. citizens and legal permanent U.S. residents who will graduate or receive their high school diploma between January and August of the current program year and have taken the ACT or SAT assessment on or before October of the previous year.

“It is wonderful to celebrate these students’ accomplishments. They are extraordinary in so many ways, well beyond their academic abilities. They are researchers, problem-solvers, writers, and dedicated community volunteers,” states Director of The Gatton Academy Dr. Lynette Breedlove.  “They are outstanding representatives of Kentucky’s bright future.”

From here, approximately 600 candidates will be named semifinalists, and up to 161 students will be recognized in May as Presidential Scholars.  The majority of the Scholars will be selected on the basis of broad academic achievement.  Approximately 20 students are selected on the basis of their academic and artistic scholarship in the visual arts, the performing arts, or creative writing. Additionally, approximately 20 additional students will be selected on the basis of their ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.

If a student is selected as a U.S. Presidential Scholar, they will be honored in Washington, D.C., in June.  During this trip, U.S. Presidential Scholars are guests of the U.S. Department of Education and the Commission and enjoy an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to meet with government officials, educators, and other accomplished people.  To commemorate their achievement, the Scholars are awarded the U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House.

For more information, visit the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

About The Gatton Academy:  Established in 2007, The Gatton Academy is Kentucky’s first residential two-year program for gifted and talented junior and seniors. The Gatton Academy’s students enroll as juniors and are full-time WKU students pursuing their interests in advanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Gatton Academy has been named to Jay Mathews’ list of top-performing schools with elite students for 11 consecutive appearances and received the National Consortium for Secondary STEM School’s Innovation Partnership Award.